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National Address on Los Angeles Riots 5/1/92 [OA 7573] [1]
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National Address on Los Angeles Riots 5/1/92 [OA 7573] [1]
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National Address on Los Angeles Riots 5/1/92 [OA 7573] [1]
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9
22
6
5
DRAFT
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
April 30, 1992
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT
have occurred
A tragic series of events 1 in Los Angeles that include frustration
over a verdict, the wanton destruction of property, and the
senseless death of several citizens in the last few hours. I
urge all Americans to approach this situation with calm, with
tolerance, and with a respect for the rights of all individuals
under the Constitution.
The United States Department of Justice will continue its
criminal investigation of the police violence case in
Los Angeles to ensure that the civil rights laws of our nation
are fully and equally applied. The Department of Justice has
been monitoring this case since its inception. As is customary/
in these kinds of situations, the Justice Department moved last
night to accelerate the investigation it started several months
ago.
I have just met with the Attorney General of the United States to
consider the Federal Government's legal course at this point, and
to review any other forms of assistance that we should provide
the state of California and the city of Los Angeles. I also
discussed these matters this morning with Governor Wilson,
Mayor Bradley and with other senior members of my administration
to provide any assistance necessary to help restore law and
order
We are concerned about any question of excessive police violence,
and we are equally concerned about excessive public violence.
The murder and destruction in the streets of Los Angeles last
night and today must be stopped. Lootings, beatings, and random
violence against innocent victims must be condemned. Society
cannot tolerate this behavior. The community must pull together
to heal the wounds and provide constructive solutions
There are some principles of law, and of behavior, that should be
repeated in these circumstances. First, we must maintain a
respect for our legal system and a demand for law and order.
Second, we have a right to expect a police force that protects
our citizens and behaves in a responsible manner. Third, in the
American conscience, there is no room for bigotry and racism.
And fourth, we have responsibilities as citizens of this
democracy. I want everyone to know that the Federal Government
will continue to pursue its legal responsibilities in this case.
# # #
RACE
Good evening. Tonight I want to talk about a great,
unfinished items on America's agenda. I want to talk about racial
harmony.
Barbara and I have watched in sadness and shock as the
horrible events have unfolded in Los Angeles -- and across the
country.
Tonight, all Americans feel exhausted and frightened. We have
seen the beating of Rodney King. We have witnessed violence in the
smoke-shrouded streets of Los Angeles. We think of families who
will this week bury innocent victims of violence, and we ask: What
have we become?
I know that many of you feel pain and fear and anguish. I do,
and I don't always know what to do with it. Nothing is more
personal than the fear of discrimination; nothing more irrational;
nothing more violates our sense of dignity.
When I think of the violence we've seen this week, I think
about my children, and my grandchildren. I think about my friends.
I think about how it affects them today, and how it might reshape
the rest of their lives.
Our nation has grown strong under a system of justice designed
to provide equal justice for all men and women. That system has
survived many tough tests. It works, but only so long as we
believe in it, and we resist the temptation to rush to justice.
We know these things. If a person cannot get justice because
of the color of his or her skin, there is no justice. If a person
2
cannot fulfill a dream because prejudice stands in the way, there
is no American Dream. And if there is no brotherhood -- if no one
will stand up to bigots or to mobs, we surrender the goodness that
has made us great.
This week's shocking events force us to face the truth: We
have not yet overcome. The heroic civil rights movement of the
1960s killed Jim Crow, but it did not banish the spectre of
intolerance and suspicion. The street violence only highlights
subtler violence that disfigures our national dream every day.
When people cross the street to avoid walking too near a
person of another color, they commit quiet violence.
When people assume that someone must be racist because the
person enjoys a good job, they commit quiet violence.
When a clerk looks suspiciously at a customer just because of
the customer's skin color, they commit quiet violence.
Quiet violence wears other labels -- a glass ceiling that
shuttles able people into stereotyped jobs; red lines that declare
some neighborhoods off limits to minorities; subtle practices that
make it difficult for minorities to get loans for cars or
educations or homes.
When any of us lets bigotry pass unchallenged, we commit quiet
violence. And we must stop.
Racial tensions will not vanish just because we want them to.
Racism will not go away if we just wait for someone to pass a law
or file a lawsuit. If we want an end to bigotry, we must do it.
Each one of us bears responsibility for annihilating the plague of
3
racial hatred.
In simple small daily deeds we must extend the hand of
brotherhood -- even to those who haven't even asked.
Tonight, I propose a simple small act that I hope will lead
to healing. Tonight, I declare next Monday, May 4, a national day
of healing and tolerance. [[ recommend some personal gesture ]]
[ [expand efforts at reducing police-neighborhood tensions???]
[[ federal marshalls]
Let me offer a few words of warning. I know that some
prophets of hatred will exploit the national wound opened by the
incidents in Los Angeles. I know some politicians will try to
confuse matters by lumping dozens of other issues into the
discussion. They will call racist anybody who does not support
their cause or their approach.
These people must make a choice: They can exploit our national
pain for political gain, or they can join the rest of us in healing
wounds and finding common ground.
I also know that some people might try to justify this week's
violence on the basis of dissatisfaction and rage. I won't accept
that. There is no excuse for random violence and mob murder.
I cannot condone the violence we saw in a videotaped beating.
But I feel real anger when I think of people pulled from their
vehicles as made their way to work, or as they tried to drive to
the safe haven of family and home.
No excuse can wash away the evil of murder and mayhem. It
cannot replace the jobs people lost this week, or the lives
4
destroyed because someone wanted an excuse for violence. We must
stand for the rule of law, and for the rights of all people.
Every person in America has a stake in racial healing, and
everybody has a role. [[personal example??]]
[[refer to civil rights meeting]]
I want to move toward a truly decent and good society. I want
a society in which each person can attend a good school, get a good
job, live in a safe community, and raise a family in a neighborhood
where people know each other, trust each other and help each other.
I want every American to have a real stake in our promised
future. We should work to ensure that the poor can earn property -
- and a future; that all Americans have a fair choice of good
schools, health care, and child care; and that every American has
an incentive to reach out and make someone's life better.
The Cold War liberated a generation of children from the fear
of nuclear war. Now we must liberate them from fear of violence
in their own streets -- and quiet violence in the places they live
and work.
We must understand that no one in Los Angeles or any other
city has rendered a verdict on America. And we should understand
this, too: Our nation, the land of dreams for generations who
sought freedom, enjoys the bounty of many cultures. We have the
most vibrant society on earth because we live in the most open and
diverse society on earth. We can only become richer in experience
and truth if we learn more about each of the threads that form the
fabric of American life.
5
In the end, values bind this fabric together. Even as we
celebrate our diversity, our traditional values must serve as the
rallying cry of good and decent people.
It did this week. As mobs beat a young Asian-American
motorist, actor Gregory Alan-Williams rushed in. He pulled the man
to freedom. He saved a life.
As elderly citizens gasped for air in Watts, "Sweet Alice"
Harris, one of our Points of Light, organized efforts to get them
to hospitals. Her organization, Parents of Watts, found food for
families, since looters have emptied all the local groceries, and
she found other essentials for people in need.
These people had a choice: They could have pointed fingers,
or they could extend the hand of brotherhoods. And they did the
right thing.
That is what America is all about, and that is what I ask all
of us to do in our lives. I come to you as a man who has spent
much of his life longing for racial harmony, and fighting in his
own way to building greater unity among the American community.
I know we can stamp out racism. We can push back the tide of
violence and crime. We can work to ensure that violence and
suspicion divide us no more.
Let us begin right now, in our hearts -- and in our lives.
Bigotry, violence, prejudice, provocation: These things will not
stand. Thank you. May God bless you; May God bless all those
suffering this night from violence or scorn; and my God bless this
great and decent land, the United States of America.
Vol. 138
WASHINGTON, THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 1992
No. 57
Congressional Record
United States
of America
PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 102ᵃ CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION
United States
Government
SECOND CLASS NEWSPAPER
Printing Offic
111
RESEARCH
Postage and Fees Paid
SUPERINTENDENT
U S. Government Printing Office
OF DOCUMENTS
(USPS 087-390)
Washington, DC 2040
OFFICIAL BUSINESS
Penalty for private US
Congress Record
ROUTE 2
5866
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD SENATE
April 30, 1992
bill does that. It is tough legislation. It
Dodd
Kerrey
Pryor
ment to move swiftly and aggressively
will cut in half the overall amount of
Durenberger
Kerry
Reid
in this case.
Exon
Kohl
Riegle
PAC contributions to incumbent Sena-
Ford
Lautenberg
Robb
Madam President, it is my under-
tors.
Fowler
Leahy
Rockefeller
standing that under the previous
I close with these words to my col-
Glenn
Levin
Sanford
order, there was to be at this time 1
Gore
Lieberman
Sarbanes
leagues in the Senate. We have heard
Graham
McCain
Sasser
hour of morning business under my
it said often in recent days that Con-
Harkin
Metzenbaum
Simon
designation and control.
gress lacks the ability and the will to
Heflin
Mikulski
Wellstone
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms.
pass tough legislation that may be
Inouye
Mitchell
Wirth
Jeffords
Moynihan
Wofford
MIKULSKI). The Senator is correct.
good for the Nation; that Congress
Johnston
Nunn
Mr. MITCHELL. Madam President,
cannot pass legislation because it
Kennedy
Pell
I consulted with other colleagues who
bends to the will of money and special
NAYS-42
were to have addressed the Senate
interests; that we are too worried
Bond
Gramm
Packwood
during that time, and it is our desire
about reelection to support legislation
Brown
Grassley
Pressler
not to proceed as planned at this time.
that is in the public interest because it
Burns
Hatch
Roth
Therefore, I ask unanimous consent
might have some unpopular aspect.
Chafee
Hatfield
Rudman
that the 1 hour under my designation
This is the opportunity to disprove
Coats
Helms
Seymour
Cochran
Hollings
Shelby
or control be vitiated, and that the
those allegations. If you want to prove
Cohen
Kassebaum
Simpson
Senate remain in morning business
that you are willing to stand up to the
Craig
Kasten
Smith
subject to other previous orders with
special interests, the large money in-
D'Amato
Lott
Specter
Danforth
Lugar
Stevens
Senators permitted to speak therein.
terests, vote for this conference
Dole
Mack
Symms
The PRESIDING OFFICER. With-
report. If you want to stand up for
Domenici
McConnell
Thurmond
out objection, it is so ordered.
something that you know is the right
Garn
Murkowski
Wallop
Mr. BRADLEY addressed the Chair.
thing to do, vote for this conference
Gorton
Nickles
Warner
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
report. If you believe in our democrat-
So the conference report was agreed
Senator from New Jersey.
ic system of Government and are
to.
genuinely disturbed by the low esteem
Mr. MITCHELL. I move to reconsid-
in which Congress is held by the
er the vote.
TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE
American peoplé, vote for this confer-
Mr. BOREN. I move to lay that
Mr. BRADLEY. Madam President,
ence report.
motion on the table.
what we have seen in Simi Valley, CA,
The American people have lost con-
The motion to lay on the table was
is a travesty of justice. The story is fa-
fidence in the Federal election process.
agreed to.
miliar. March 3, 1991: Rodney King is
They question the very integrity of
this institution, the integrity of the in-
speeding, driving while intoxicated;
dividual Members of the Senate. Every
MORNING BUSINESS
clearly. wrong. He was stopped by sev-
eral police officers. He was kicked; he
Senator, every single Senator without
Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. President, amI
was hit with batons 56 times in 81 sec-
regard to party, deplores this result.
correct in my understanding that
onds. When one of the officers arrived
Almost every Senator agrees that our
under the previous order, there is now
at the hospital, he bragged that he
campaign finance laws must be rewrit-
to be a period for morning business
"really hit a homer."
ten.
with Senators permitted to speak
Madam President, we were not told
We cannot let those, the few who
therein?
are opposed to any reform, who like
about Rodney King being hit 56 times
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
in 81 seconds with batons. We saw it
the current system, who want above
majority leader is correct.
with our own eyes; it was on video.
all else to protect their position in
Just as we saw the missiles over Bagh-
office no matter what system they
dad or the murders in Tiananmen
must operate under-we cannot let
LOS ANGELES RIOT
them block this reform. We must re-
Square, so we saw four police beating
Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. President, the
store the integrity of this institution
Rodney King. It was clear cut, 56
and its Members and we can make a
pall of smoke that hangs over Los An-
times in 81 seconds. Something like
start on that by voting for this confer-
geles today hangs over our Nation as
this: pow pow pow pow pow pow pow
well.
pow pow pow pow pow pow pow pow
ence report.
I urge my colleagues to vote for it
The acquittals in the police beating
pow pow pow pow pow pow pow pow
and send a clear and unmistakable
of Rodney King have surprised and
pow pow pow pow pow pow pow pow
shocked Americans of all races and in
message that this system must be
pow pow pow pow pow pow pow pow
changed.
every part of the Nation.
pow pow pow pow pow pow pow pow
Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and
Americans expect the police to do
pow pow pow pow pow pow pow pow
their jobs in accordance with the law.
nays on the conference report.
pow-56 times in 81 seconds. That is
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is
The verdict makes many Americans
what the American public saw on vid-
there a sufficient second?
wonder if the system of justice works,
eotape: 56 times in 81 seconds.
as it should have in this case.
And what did the defense do? The
There is a sufficient second.
Whatever the verdict, looting and vi-
The yeas and nays were ordered.
defense, in a thinly veiled attempt to
olence are not reactions that can be
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
play on racial stereotypes and racial
tolerated. No one can or should con-
question is on agreeing to the confer-
fears, the defense called King a bear, a
ence report on S. 3, the Congressional
done riots or sniper fire or looting. Ri-
bull, a gorilla-the worst, the worst of
Campaign Spending Limit Election
oting damages neighborhoods, takes
the dehumanizing descriptions of
innocent lives, and injures bystanders.
black Americans that have fueled
Reform Act of 1992.
The clerk will call the roll.
Violence inevitably leads to more vio-
hatred, discrimination, and fear
The legislative clerk called the roll.
lence. So the violence must be ended.
throughout our history.
But the end of a riot does not mean
The result was announced, yeas 58,
The defense strategy was to deny
that the cause of the riot is over. Fac-
what we all saw on TV with our own
nays 42, as follows:
tors that bred the frustration over this
eyes. In the word of today's Washing-
[Rollcall Vote No. 82 Leg.]
case have long, deep roots in our
ton Post:
YEAS-58
system. We must look to those factors,
The defense lawyers portrayed their cli-
Adams
Boren
Byrd
as well as to the outcome to which
ents as part of a thin blue line standing be-
Akaka
Bradley
Conrad
they gave rise.
tween law-abiding citizens and the jungle of
Baucus
Breaux
Cranston
The Federal Justice Department has
Los Angeles.
Bentsen
Bryan
Daschle
Biden
Bumpers
DeConcini
now stepped up its criminal review of
Madam President, jurors were asked
Bingaman
Burdick
Dixon
the case. I urge the Justice Depart-
to yield to this fear. Jurors were asked
April 30, 1992
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD - SENATE
5867
to deny Rodney King's humanity, to
were black. Once again, we are forced
the problems facing young black men
deny they saw what they saw. It was
to confront the division in our society.
in our society today. And the statistics
the ultimate attempt at delusion, delu-
In 1820, Thomas Jefferson described
are truly horrifying, in terms of the
sion born in a society that does not
the emotion raging around the slavery
death rates, the unemployment rates—
talk honestly about race, an ultimate
issue as "a warning bell in the night."
even those with college degrees are
attempt at delusion born in a society
Our Nation ignored that warning, and
finding in many cases they cannot find
which fails to see that its salvation lies
it cost us a Civil War which took the
work in our society.
in overcoming racism, and not in yield-
most American lives of any war we
One of our witnesses to talk about
ing to racism.
have ever had.
this problem, was a person known by
The verdict: Not guilty. In the last
In the 1960's James Baldwin, in the
many, a very able and outstanding tel-
12 hours, I do not know about every-
midst of great racial advances in civil
evision personality named Blair Un-
body else in this body, but I have had
rights, said, "Beware, the fire next
derwood, who appeared on the TV
a few things happen. Let me share just
time."
show "L.A. Law." He told us a personal
a couple.
In the last 24 hours, another warn-
story, not terribly different in some
A young black male walks up to me
ing bell has rung, and other fires have
important respects from the Rodney
earlier today and says, "I hope you're
burned. If we, as a nation, continue to
King story.
going to say something. It could be me
ignore the racial reality of our times,
I am going to paraphrase what he
next time. It was not likely they did
tiptoe around it, demagog it, or flee
told us. In his situation he described
not have any evidence."
from it, we are going to pay an enor-
one day leaving the movie lot where
A nonblack female says: "I guess I
mous price.
he had been filming an episode of
have become immune to such injus-
What we need now, at the exact
LA. Law," and he was driving, I be-
tices, and that really saddens me. I
time, is hope and accountability, ac-
countability for the conduct of the
lieve, a very nice sports car-that he
have become so used to seeing the side
police officers, and hope that the
owns-to his home, somewhere in the
I consider to be right, that events like
this no longer seem to surprise me."
system of justice can work. With that
Hollywood area, but in a very nice and
A young black man interviewed on
in mind, I call on the Attorney Gener-
exclusive neighborhood. He pulled up
al to file criminal civil rights charges
in front of his own home to get out of
TV last night says: "If I went to a gro-
against the police officers. If a crime is
his car, and he had been followed by a
cery store and stole a Twinkie, and I
done and the system does not work,
police car that had come up behind
was on videotape, I would be in jail for
6 months. But if I were beaten up on
that is what the civil rights laws are
him. As he was sitting in his own car,
the street by four white cops, they
all about. Next, I call on President
in front of his own house and was
Bush to go to Los Angeles and to the
about to get out, a police officer came
could get off. Where is the justice?"
A female black lawyer said: "People
community and meet with the resi-
around and approached him and in a
dents to show his concern, if they be-
very hostile way, asked him what he
should not be afraid of the people who
lieve it will be helpful.
was doing in this neighborhood.
are supposed to protect them, but they
Finally, all of us have to fight for a
Before he could answer, there was a
are." Imagine if the shoe were on the
political system that will guarantee
very tense moment and the police offi-
other foot; imagine if an all black jury
that the voiceless will have a voice
cer in this case ordered him to get out
acquitted a black policeman, or several
more powerful than violence. Emmit
of the car. The police officer drew a
black police officers, who had beaten a
Till was an African-American, a young
gun, ordered him to get out of the car
white person to a pulp 56 times in 81
man killed in Mississippi one summer
and to get down on the ground and to
seconds on videotape. Imagine what
while visiting relatives because he said
prepare to be inspected in some fash-
would be said then, and then you
"bye-bye" to a white woman in a store.
ion by the police officer.
could imagine a little bit, I believe,
After she lost her son, Emmet Till's
Obviously, he was totally taken
how African-Americans feel today.
mother said:
aback by this incident. He was fright-
No justice can come from injustice.
When something happened to Negroes in
ened by it, as any of us would be, to
Racism breeds racism; violence begets
the South, I said "that is their business, not
have a police officer in front of our
violence. So the image of white police
mine." Now I know how wrong I was. The
own home pointing a pistol at us in a
officers beating a black man lying
murder of my son had shown me that what
confrontational fashion of that kind.
prone on the ground dissolves into the
happens to any of us, anywhere in the
image of a black crowd dragging a
world, had better be the business of all of
This is not ancient history and this
is not make-believe. This is a real situ-
white driver from a vehicle and kick-
us.
ation of another American citizen of
ing him to death. That violence only
What happened in the courtroom in
further exacerbates the tragedy of
Simi Valley last night is the business
color who had this happen, as it turns
thousands of lives of those who live in
of all of us, and we better start speak-
out, in the same general area of the
an area wracked by drugs and gang vi-
ing candidly, and we better do some-
country not all that long ago.
olence and poverty and despair.
thing about the physical conditions in
The Rodney King beating trial, as
A state of emergency has been de-
our cities, or risk losing increasingly
others have said, is a serious miscar-
clared in south-central Los Angeles.
larger numbers of lives of our citizens
riage of justice, the verdict in that
All violence must be condemned. But
in our cities in the violence, or the fire
trial. In fact, Federal law protects
the emergency is national. I have said
that next time is going to engulf all of
every citizen of America from racially
before on this floor that slavery was
us.
motivated violent beatings by police
our original sin, and race remains our
I yield the floor.
officers. We have written laws in this
unresolved dilemma. That dilemma be-
Mr. RIEGLE addressed the Chair.
country that are on the books right
comes a state of emergency when our
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
now that prohibit that kind of thing
carefully constructed system-govern-
Senator from Michigan.
from happening. And that law has to
mental, judicial, social-breaks down
Mr. RIEGLE. Madam President,
be enforced. The President has an ob-
in the face of the racial reality of our
first of all, let me associate myself
ligation to see that it is enforced and
society. And the reality is, sad to say,
with the remarks of Senator BRADLEY.
that his Attorney General move imme-
it was easier for an all white jury to
I think he speaks for many of us. He
diately to see that the law is enforced,
put themselves in the shoes of a white
certainly speaks the sentiments that I
as had just been suggested by the Sen-
police officer than to put themselves
have in his very eloquent, and power-
ator from New Jersey.
in the position of Rodney King. After
ful, and important remarks now.
Senator METZENBAUM is drafting a
all, the jury did not live in the city.
I want to cite another example in
letter in conjunction with several of
The jury has not been the target of
this same vein. In the Senate Banking
us, to put that request in a written
ugly racial epitaphs or discrimination.
Committee recently, we had a hearing
form so that it might be transmitted
They have never been pulled over by a
of the Twenty-first Century Commis-
to the administration and to the Presi-
police officer simply because they
sion on African-American males and
dent today.
from
2pm
Outline of Remarks on Violence in Los Angeles
During the past few days, violence and lawlessness has
erupted in several cities throughout the nation.
More than 25 innocent lives have already been lost, over a
thousand Americans have been injured, and thousands of
businesses have been destroyed.
This senseless and destructive violence is disfiguring to a
nation that has always prided itself on its devotion to the
rule of law, Our legal and judicial system has survived for
more than 200 years and is the bedrock of our democratic
society.
Today, America is grieving. We are saddened by the loss of
life, infuriated by the rampant destruction of private and
public property, and deeply anguished by the sense of
despair that many Americans feel -- especially in some of
our largest cities.
But let me state in the clearest possible terms. This
violence cannot and will not be tolerated. It is an assault
on the integrity of our nation, and on its democratic
institutions.
I know that many Americans were surprised by the verdict in
the case of the Los Angeles police officers this week. But
surprise, even shock and anger, over the verdict is not an
excuse for lawless behavior. And these acts of violence
must stop.
My paramount responsibility is to restore order and protect
people's lives and property. The time for healing cannot
come until peace and order and sanity is restored.
There are some who look at the events of the past few days
and insist that our system is a failure. This type of
demagoguery is destructive to society. We know that no
system is perfect. All man-made institutions, including our
legal system, are fallible.
But it is our duty continually to work to improve those
institutions. And I have already instructed the Attorney
General to resume his investigation of this case and of
police brutality wherever it exists.
But those who would have us rush to judgment or institute
legal proceedings without the proper investigation and
analysis, seek not to improve the system but to sabotage it.
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May 1, 1992
MEMORANDUM FOR DAVID DEMAREST
DAN MCGROARTY
FROM:
RESEARCHERS
SUBJECT:
OVAL/L.A.
LINCOLN QUOTES:
Government should not act for revenge.
If some men will kill, or beat, or constrain others, or
despoil them of property by force, fraud, or non-compliance
with contracts, it is a common object with peaceful and just
men to prevent it.
Let every man remember that to violate the law is to trample
on the blood of his father and to tear the charter of his
own and his children's liberty.
There is no grievance that is a fit object of redress by mob
law.
Let us discard all this quibbling about this man and the
other man, this race and that race and the other race, being
inferior and therefore they must be placed in an inferior
position. Let us discard all these things, and unite as one
people throughout this land, until we shall once more stand
up declaring that all men are created equal.
RIOTS IN FIVE (5) OTHER CITIES:
San Francisco, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Seattle, Tampa Bay.
Protests also in Dallas, and Madison, Wisconsin.
A FEW EXCERPTS FROM LA ARTICLES
A youth minister from the House of Prayer Church in Compton was
trying to persuade people to cease looting and go home. No one
paid attention.
22-year-old member from the same church said, "This is not unity.
This is destroying. This 1s like getting angry and setting your
own house on fire. I'm praying for these people."
If
citizen soldiers facing citizens
=
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The irony of it all: Guardsman armed with loaded M-16 rifles
were stationed at the corner of MARTIN LUTHER KING BOULEVARD and
Vermont Avenue, where rioters had battled over a strip mall most
of the day. [Two men named King: Years ago, Martin Luther King
raised the consciousness of this nation on the issue of race;
today, the issue of Rodney King illustrates that we have farther
to go. 'We have not overcome. "The model of behavior that
this group chose to follow not to a Martin Luther King of non-
violence but a Malcolm X of 'freedom by any means necessary'."
There were little kids looting for their parents. Parents
saying, "Go on in, run in there and get more."
FYI: À factoid with à lot of impact == 56 blows in 81 seconds
(re Rodney King video). 81 seconds of video has literally
changed the nation.
Chinese proverb: If we do not change the direction we are going,
we will wind up where we are headed.
Factoid: Lake View Terrace neighborhood is where beating
occurred.
Factoid: From a CNN broadcast -- "The cost of the LA riots thus
far run in the $200 million range.' "
Factoid: Los Angeles -- known as "city of the angels."
Factoid: Jury comprised of 6 men, 6 women - a housekeeper,
cable splicer, bank clerk, retired real estate broker, phone
company technician, computer analyst, retired naval aviator, park
ranger, college groundskeeper, program manager, retired mental
health worker, and a nurse.
T-shirt of one of the residents of the riot-torn area: "Justice
-- not Just Us.'
Firefighters in LA were quoted as saying: "We have a lot of
people out there who care about us
kids are waving to us
from their doors." "There's a lot of good people out there.
bringing us drinks of water or the last can of soda that they had
saved." "If they can, lend a hand." "People are helping by
doing what the law asks."
King's aunt said of her nephew:
II
You can't use his name as
the excuse for all that's happening in the city now. And you
can't use his name as the salvation."
SOME POINTS FROM BARR'S STATEMENT YESTERDAY
"The verdicts yesterday on state charges are not the end of this
process.
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The Department and the FBI have been closely monitoring the Los
Angeles case since the incident occurred.
We have now moved forward with our own federal investigation of
this incident to determine whether there was a violation of the
civil rights law.
I join the President, local officials and community leaders in
calling on all Americans to obey the law.
We take with gravest concern any allegation of police brutality.
At the same time, we cannot tolerate public violence and
lawlessness, and it is imperative that this violence come to an
end immediately.
This is now an active criminal investigation.
In these particular cases, the standard is whether or not we
believe that the federal interest was adequately vindicated in
the state proceedings
If it's not, then we feel free to proceed
on a federal track.'
Tonight, *pTeaXght / my heart goes out to those who felt betrayed by a
I
who
system of justice that seemed to have gone wrong -- and to those
who have suffered since from the angry reaction of a frustrated
and misguided mob.
Two days ago,
1661
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Columbus, Ohio)
For Immediate Release
April 30, 1992
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
TO OHIO BROADCASTERS ASSOCIATION
The Hyatt on Capitol Square
Columbus, Ohio
3:12 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, Fred, very much -- all of
you, Gene and Dale and Tom, for the greeting out here. And good
afternoon. I'm pleased to be back for my third appearance before
-- something about the Ohio Broadcasters. (Applause.)
I have a few remarks to make on a subject, but before
that I want to comment just on the events that are concerning our
country building a little on comments I made earlier in a
statement to the nation about the news out of Los Angeles.
No one watching the television coverage of the violence
yesterday afternoon and evening could have any reaction other than
revulsion and pain. And mob brutality, the total loss of respect for
human life was sickeningly sad. And the frustration all of us felt
seeing helpless victims pulled from vehicles and assaulted -- it was
hard not to turn our eyes away.
DD
But we must not turn our eyes away. And we must keep on
working to create a climate of understanding and tolerance, and
condemn a climate of bigotry and fear.
ANDY
Last night was tragic for our country. It was tragic
TS
for the city of Los Angeles, for the people of East L.A. But there
were smail acts in all of this ugliness that give us hope. The
citizens who ignored the mob; those who helped get the battered
victims out of the area. There were people who spent the night in
the churches. Many were seeking guidance in the wake of the
unfolding chaos in the streets, praying that man's gentler instincts
be revealed in the hearts of people driven by hate.
And you say what can we do? Well, before leaving
Washington I spoke to Governor Wilson; I spoke to Mayor Tom Bradley;
I spoke to Ben Hooks and some others on this problem. And I also
gave this statement to the nation regarding our plans at the federal
government level regarding the court case. We have instigated an
update
investigation under civil rights protection. We will do what we can
from the federal government to help those small business people that
have been just wiped out by wanton destruction. And I will keep
telling the country that we must stand up against lawlessness and
crime, wherever it takes place.
And regrettably what is happening in the city -- or did
happen last night was purely criminal It was outrageous what
happened. And we are all sickened by what we saw.
On the larger issues, I've thought a lot about this.
And say what you want, but it is important at a time like this to
really talk about some old-fashioned values like respect for the
other's rights, respect for property rights; manifest that respect in
our actions as well as our words. We must make a compact with each
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- 2 -
make point clear
other that we will not tolerate racism and bigotry and anti-Semitism
and hate of any kind anywhere, any time. Not over the dinner table;
looting.
not in the board room; not in the playground - nowhere.
we must condemn violence. I make no apology for the
rule of law or the requirement to live by it. And, yes, in some
places in America there is, regrettably, a cycle of poverty and
despair. But if the system perpetuates this cycle, then we've got to
change the system. We simply cannot condone violence as a way of
changing the system.
So we ought to change. we ought to try hard. Change
the status quo. And we've got to do it peacefully and we've got to
do it thoughtfully. This -- I am very hopeful, that calm can be
restored to this very important part of our country and that goodwill
will prevail over the hatred that we've seen in the streets in the
last few hours.
I am now switching off to what I came here to talk to
you all about. Let me just first say a word about this city and
about the great man who gave his name to this city. Columbus dared
to explore far beyond the horizons of his continent, and he
discovered a New world. You talk about the vision thing, well, he
had it.
Speaking of vision, we wouldn't be attending the
Broadcasters Convention had it not been for the daring of scientific
prodigies like DeForest and Marconi. We should keep in mind just how
new this thing called broadcasting is. The same year that my dad was
born right here in Columbus, Ohio, just a few blocks away on East
Broad Street, Marconi invented radio. It either makes me very old or
makes radio very young; I can't figure out which that is.
(Laughter.)
But I'm sure there are many here who can remember when
the first TV broadcast went on the air. I can remember the first TV
set I had -- a great, big square looking box with a little tiny
yellow-colored window. It was made by Hoffman. I don't think it
proved to be too successful because I don't think they're making TV
sets anymore. But it wasn't that long ago.
Telecommunications is still in its infancy. I think
that it's taking big steps now. And as you look over the horizon at
the future of this country in technology the steps are going to be
enormous. They're something bright and new in human history.
In addition to all this new technology, I think we can
look at a whole other area and talk about the worldwide spread of
freedom and democracy. Around the globe, nations are joining a
movement in which the United States is the great pioneer. We are --
never forget it -- the unsurpassed leader. And for those who will
have you believe that this country is in a state of decline, travel
abroad and see the respect with which this country is held.
We've got to protect our freedoms. We've got to trust
people with their freedoms. These form the core of our crusade to
make this country stronger. A free economy will be a strong economy,
and it will create more good jobs. We'll keep our healthy society --
keep society healthy if we keep our family first -- put family first.
And by keeping our defenses strong, we're going to keep the peace.
I'm working hard to open world markets. And open trade
will create more and better jobs for this country. It offers our
consumers lower prices and more choices. And expanding trade is one
of five programs for this country's future that I view as really top
priorities.
We're working as well to revolutionize this is the
second one to revolutionize literally to reinvent our schools.
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- 3 -
Parents are leading the way. In community after community, they are
standing up to the bureaucratic establishment; they're asserting
their rights in their children's education. And I salute Governor
Voinovich, whose wife is with us here today, for the lead that Ohio
is taking in achieving the goals of America 2000, our literally
revolutionary education program.
We're working for fundamental reform of government,
including a balanced budget amendment -- now it has strong support on
both sides of the aisle. Clearly, it has to be phased in. But
there's a change in the country; people are saying we've got to do
better. I support strongly term limits to make Congress much more
accountable. I think the time has come for that. And I also
believe, and have submitted suggestions to the Congress for this
rather revolutionary idea that Congress cught to live by the laws
that it passes and laws that affect others. It is no longer right to
be separate. (Applause.)
The next category is we are working to help the
innovations and efficiencies of free market make quality health care
available to all. I do not want to see us go to what they call a
nationalized system or what some refer to as socialized medicine. We
want to retain the quality of our health care, but we've got to give
access to all, make insurance accessible to all. so we need to do
that.
And then the last point I want to make is we are
fighting the explosion of nuisance lawsuits. Let's spend more time
helping each other and less time suing each other. And that means we
need to put some limits on these outrageous liability claims.
(Applause.)
I might add that we are fighting hard to get the burdens
of unreasonable government regulation off the backs of the people.
And regulation really imposes a hidden tax on every man, woman and
child in this country. In the State of the Union address some 92
days ago, I lit a fire under our own administration's efforts for
fundamental reform of government regulation. And this week we
completed that 90-day moratorium that I ordered on new regulations.
In just those 90 days we have completed or set in motion reforms that
will save America $15 billion to $20 billion a year. And yesterday I
ordered a 120-day extension on that moratorium, and I'm expecting
many more achievements for freedom and for common sense.
Fundamental reform of regulation cannot be achieved
overnight, and it's going to take a lot of tough, imaginative,
patient effort. But I am totally committed to reforming regulation
because the cost of inaction would be much more than we could bear.
Think of some of the burdens and the contradictions that we already
face.
Here in Columbus the city government has projected that
over the next decade its cost of compliance with federal
environmental regulations alone will be $1.6 billion. And that's
$856 per household per year. NOW, this is for a community whose
entire city budget last year was S591 million. The share of the
city's budget to meet these regulations stands to increase from 10
percent to 23 percent. And right now, Columbus is one of the most
attractive places in the country for people to work and live. But I
can't say things will stay that way if the cost of meeting government
mandates keeps going right out through the roof.
In Juneau, Alaska, a local charity, the St. Vincent de
Paul Society, wanted to build an addition to its shelter for the
homeless, also requiring more parking space. Unfortunately, the
building project was delayed for a whole year because bureaucrats
declared the site a wetland. Now, get this -- the shelter is in the
middle of town, surrounded by concrete -- dry concrete, I think -- on
a city block that includes two car dealerships, a plumbing store and
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- 4 -
a storage business. There is something wrong with this picture. And
obviously somebody in this episode was all wet, but it wasn't the
real estate for the homeless shelter. I cite this as just the kind
of example that we must fight against at the federal level; that the
local level must fight against, too.
And back here in Ohio, an unreasonable federal
regulation almost forced the closing of this health plan in Dayton --
we call the Dayton Area Health Plan. George Voinovich called this to
my attention -- an innovative, managed care program designed to offer
high quality care to some 43,000 Medicaid recipients in Dayton.
Governor Voinovich and the Lieutenant Governor Mike DeWine led the
effort -- who I did not introduce but who is with us here today --
led the effort to change this inequity. And just this week I signed
legislation granting an exemption for this Ohio reform initiative.
I have confidence in the new ideas that Ohioans are
developing on their own, and without the mandates from the know-it-
alls in these subcommittees back in Washington, D.C. or in our own
bureaucracy. We don't do much for Americans' health when we put
HMOS, like the one in Dayton, on the critical list.
It's stories like these that remind us what a visionary
Alexis de Tocqueville was. A century and a half ago -- a century and
a half ago he warned that if Americans were not careful, government
would -- and here's the quote -- "cover the surface of society with a
network of small, complicated rules, minute and uniform, through
which the most original minds and the most energetic characters
cannot penetrate." This is de Tocqueville, coming over and taking a
look at our society back then. I don't know what would happen to him
if he took a look at it today.
We've heard the warning. We're fighting back. And our
reform efforts are breathing new life into America's ability to
compete, to innovate, and to create jobs. Every federal agency that
I asked to participate has responded with action to ease the burden
of unnecessary regulation. From biotechnology, to energy, to the
banking field and, yes, to broadcasting and telecommunications, we
are taking the shackles off of American enterprise.
Let me take this occasion to salute the FCC, Federal
Communications Commission, for its actions to relax needless
restrictions on ownership of radio stations. The FCC also has taken
action to allow competition among international satellite companies.
Now, this will help reduce prices that Americans now pay on more than
a billion telephone calls every year to other countries. These are
very welcome reforms. Al Sikes, who is our chairman, the FCC
Chairman, believes in free markets and he believes in innovation.
It's clear to me that that is the right direction.
Looking forward, one can't help but see that new
telecommunications technologies will revolutionize science, education
and the way we do business. They will be an important boon to
families. The day is coming when mothers and fathers will be able to
spend more time at home with their children even as they make ever-
more productive contributions to our economy. The predictions for
doing work at home in a productive way are absolutely outstanding,
amazing. And I think you're going to see a whole new area build up
for productivity.
In the same spirit as regulatory reform is privatization
-- facilities now run by government to be owned and operated by
competitive enterprises, and thus serve the public more fairly and
more efficiently.
Today before I came out here to Columbus, I signed an
executive order that will give state and local governments more
freedom to sell or lease their infrastructure to the private sector
if they choose to do so. We hear complaints that America's
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- 5 -
infrastructure is crumbling and that states aren't putting enough
money into expanding or repairing it. And at the same time, many
private companies want to invest in these projects. So our executive
order will remove impediments to competitive enterprises, buying
infrastructure assets. That means bridges or roads or housing and
sewage treatment plants.
This initiative could generate billions of dollars in
new investment and millions of new jobs. American business has the
funds to invest in infrastructure and has the funds to expand it.
Through today's actions we will help more people enjoy
cheaper and better waste water treatment service by letting
businesses with real market incentives do the job. We'll help low-
income tenants buy their own housing. The dignity that comes with
homeownership is a wonderful thing for our country. We're promoting
competition that could dramatically reduce the cost of urban mass
transit. And the money that states will receive for selling these
facilities will be used to build even more new needed infrastructure
or to lower the states' debts or to cut your taxes.
Privatizing state enterprises is one of the great hopes
for economic growth and rebirth from Mexico City to Moscow. Take a
look at what's happened south of our border under the courageous
President of Mexico, Carlos Salinas. Look at the many formerly
government-owned entities that he has turned over to much more
efficient operation in the private sector. There is an example from
what Mexico is doing for us right here in the United States. Same
thing is true in Moscow.
As I sit down with the leaders from the new Commonwealth
of Independent states -- and I'll be meeting very soon with Kravchuk,
and shortly after that, with Boris Yeltsin -- we are encouraging them
to move to the very kinds of privatization that I'm talking about
here. I think you're going to find that they're doing it and it's
going to be highly successful, and it offers them great hopes for
recovery out of the economic morass that they're in right now.
so this idea presents many chances for positive change
-- change abroad and change right here in our own country. And there
are opportunities, frankly, that we simply cannot afford to overlook.
And of one thing I am certain: the status quo, the old thinkers are
not going to yield on this without a fight. The special interest
crowd will not like the agenda that I've outlined for you today.
They think that government ought to own more, not less. They think
that government ought to mandate more, not less.
When I meet with the governors -- and I've done that
quite a few times since I've been President -- all across party
lines, all across ideological lines of conservative and liberal comes
the cry from the governors, do not burden us with mandates coming out
of some old thinking subcommittee in the Capitol Hill of Washington,
DC. And we are determined to try to facilitate what the governors
want by giving them flexibility and saddling them with far fewer
mandates.
Washington hasn't changed much since you all have been
there. It is swarming with noisy lobbyists for the old interests who
want this highly centralized federal government and people who have
never met a regulation that they didn't really like. And this is
springtime, and a young man's thoughts turn, as does his radio dial,
to baseball.
And so I thought I'd leave you with a favorite story. I
don't know whether all these Yogi Berra stories are true or not
-- you know, pair 'em up in threes and things like that. (Laughter.)
In Yogi's hometown of St. Louis, the local people organized a
celebration in his honor at the old Sportman's Park. And Yogi
quavered with emotion as he stepped up to speak.
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6 -
"First," he said, "from the bottom of my heart let me
thank all the people who have made this day necessary." (Laughter.)
I think the point of the story is this: The freedom-loving people of
this country -- the people of ingenuity and enterprise, the people in
leading-edge industries like your own -- are not merely making
renewal of limited government possible, they're making it necessary.
And they're making it inevitable. And technological advance is
accelerating so rapidly that the old guard can only hope in vain to
keep up. We'll make intrusive and gluttonous government a thing of
the past.
We've reached a turning point. And we're on the verge
of watershed reforms to make government stop stifling people who want
to use their freedoms, their own freedoms, to create and to produce
and to serve.
And the day is coming when enterprisers and innovators
like yourselves will lead us into these exciting new horizons. The
day is coming when dreams not yet imagined will come true. And I am
confident about the years ahead. I know we've had difficult times.
But I don't believe for one single minute that the United States of
America is in decline. The future is tremendously exciting. And if
we handle the technological change with the innovative manner I've
outlined here today, I believe we can usher in all kinds of new eras
of prosperity for the working men and women in this country.
Again, I'm confident of the years ahead. And the big
thing is to keep this nation a champion of ideas and of opportunity,
and with that first subject in mind, of justice. We can reform our
schools and our courts and our health system -- our very system of
government. And we can assure that when we reach the new century
America will still be the strongest, the bravest, and the freest
nation on the face of the Earth.
It's good to be back with you. And thank you all very,
very much. (Applause.)
END
3:35 P.M. EDT
THE WORDS OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
NONVIOLENCE
"I've seen too much hate to want to hate, myself, and
"Violence as a way of achieving racial justice is both
I've seen hate on the faces of too many sheriffs, too many
impractical and immoral. It is impractical because it is a
White Citizens Councilors, and too many Klansmen of the
descending spiral ending in destruction for all. The old law
South to want to hate, myself; and every time I see it, I say
of an eye for an eye leaves everybody blind. It is immoral
to myself, hate is too great a burden to bear. Somehow we
because it seeks to humiliate the opponent rather than win
must be able to stand up before our most bitter opponents
his understanding; it seeks to annihilate rather than to
and say: 'We shall match your capacity to inflict suffering
convert. Violence is immoral because it thrives on hatred
by our capacity to endure suffering. We will meet your
rather than love. It destroys community and makes brother-
physical force with soul force. Do to us what you will and
hood impossible. It leaves society in monologue rather than
we will still love you. We cannot in all good conscience
dialogue. Violence ends by defeating itself. It creates bitter-
obey your unjust laws and abide by the unjust system,
ness in the survivors and brutality in the destroyers."
because noncooperation with evil is as much a moral
obligation as is cooperation with good, and so throw us in
jail and we will still love you. Bomb our homes and
threaten our children, and, as difficult as it is, we will still
love you. Send your hooded perpetrators of violence into
"When one tries to pin down advocates of violence
our communities at the midnight hour and drag us out on
as to what acts would be effective, the answers are blatantly
some wayside road and leave us half-dead as you beat us,
illogical. Sometimes they talk of overthrowing racist state
and we will still love you. Send your propaganda agents
and local governments. They fail to see that no internal
around the country and make it appear that we are not fit,
revolution has ever succeeded in overthrowing a govern-
culturally and otherwise, for integration, but we'll still love
ment by violence unless the government had already lost
you. But be assured that we'll wear you down by our
the allegiance and effective control of its armed forces.
capacity to suffer, and one day we will win our freedom.
Anyone in his right mind knows that this will not happen
We will not only win freedom for ourselves, we will so
in the United States. In a violent racial situation, the power
appeal to your heart and conscience that we will win you in
structure has the local police, the state troopers, the national
the process, and our victory will be a double victory.'
guard, and finally the army to call on, all of which are
"If there is to be peace on earth and good will toward
predominately white."
men, we must finally believe in the ultimate morality of
the universe, and believe that all reality hinges on moral
foundations."
(72)
(73)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
April 30, 1992
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT
Yesterday's verdict in the Los Angeles police case has left us
all with a deep sense of personal frustration and anguish. Yet
it is important that we respect the law and the legal processes
that have been brought to bear in this case. Today Los Angeles
faces the aftermath of a terrible night of violence in which
several people have lost their lives. Yet out of this rage we
must find tolerance for each other and adherence to the rule of
law that protects the lives and property of everyone. I call
upon all citizens to be calm and to abide by the law as the legal
process in this case continues. The civil rights of all
Americans demand this respect.
I am meeting this morning with the Attorney General of the United
States to consider this matter. We will work with Governor
Wilson, Mayor Bradley and others to ensure that all appropriate
steps will be taken to maintain law and order and to ensure that
the legal process proceeds with due deliberation.
# # #
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
01-May-1992 05:59pm
TO:
Sharon M. Botwin
FROM:
Jean M. Bunton
Office of Communications
SUBJECT: Fact changes LA?OVAL
Mayor Bradley's office said:
LAFD responded to just under 5,000 fires
CNN reported 37 total deaths, including 8 today
South Central LA and East LA are two distinct areas -- can not
interchange them -- refer to riot area as South Central LA,
according to Mayor Bradley's office.
$550 million property damage -- CNN
MAY 01 '92 15:49
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
287 P02
book,
THER KING
why the Negro can wait no
I rights. He traces the history
Martin Luther King, Jr
fight for equality back to its
three centuries ago. And
that fight came to a head in
WHY
Alabama.
the facts on the line. He dis-
appointing failure of both the
WE
and the Supreme Court to act
He critically evaluates the
factions on the freedom
CAN'T
Thurch, various civil rights
Black Muslims; and he deals
WAIT
fairly, with some well-known
including Alabama's Public
missioner "Bull" Connor and
Chairman Roger Blough. He
personal experiences with three
Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F.
ndon B. Johnson. He analyzes,
events, the forces, the pressures
of Americans to join to-
the country in sit-ins, prayer
edom demonstrations.
projects into the future. In the
of Why We Can't Wait Martin
assesses the work to be done in
education, employment, legisla-
A MENTOR BOOK
a "Bill of Rights for the Dis-
NEW AMERICAN LIBRARY
and sets forth in forceful and
A DIVISION OF PENGUIN BOOKS USA INC. NEW YORK
the political implications of the
PUBLISHED IN CANADA BY
novement.
PENGUIN BOOKS CANADA LIMITED MARKHAM, ONTARIO
MAY 01 '92 15:50
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
287 P03
WAIT
New Day In Birmingham
63
to demonstrate who ha
our office the following day for screening and intensive
that he could accept and
training.
ating. At the same time
The focus of these training sessions was the socio-
up any possible weapon
dramas designed to prepare the demonstrators for some
persons. Hundreds of per
of the challenges they could expect to face. The harsh
come of those who carrie
language and physical abuse of the police and the self-
-all kinds of knives-ba
appointed guardians of the law were frankly presented,
[ to use them against thi
along with the nonviolent creed in action: to resist
because they wanted to
without bitterness; to be cursed and not reply; to be
Connor's dogs. We proved
beaten and not hit back. The S.C.L.C. staff members
apons-not so much as a
who conducted these sessions played their roles with the
possessed the most formi-
conviction born of experience. They included the Rev-
iction that we were right.
erend James Lawson, expelled from Vanderbilt Univer-
knowledge that we were
sity a few years back for his militant civil-rights work,
3 our righteous aims than
and one of the country's leading exponents of the non-
violent credo; the Reverend James Bevel, already an
e mass meetings, when we
experienced leader in Nashville, Greenwood and other
ch like those invitational
campaigns; his wife, Diane Nash Bevel, who as a student
aday morning in Negro
at Fisk had become an early symbol of the young Ne-
ets the call to those pres-
groes' thrust toward freedom; the Reverend Bernard Lee,
ies and thirties and forties
whose devotion to civil rights dated back to his leader-
army. We did not hesitate
ship of the student movement at Alabama State College;
But it was a special army,
the Reverend Andy Young, our able and dedicated pro-
y, no uniform but its de-
gram director; and Dorothy Cotton, director of our on-
t its faith, no currency
going Citizenship Education Program, who also brought
my that would move but
her rich talent for song to the heart of the movement.
vould sing but not slay. It
Not all who volunteered could pass our strict tests for
but not falter. It was an
service as demonstrators. But there was much to be done,
tred, to lay siege to the
over and above the dramatic act of presenting one's body
arround symbols of dis-
in the marches. There were errands to be run, phone
whose allegiance was to
calls to be made, typing, SO many things. If a volun-
ntelligence were the elo-
teer wasn't suited to march, he was utilized in one of a
ence.
dozen other ways to help the cause. Every volunteer was
and as the battle for the
required to sign a Commitment Card that read:
and caught the attention
vere more crowded and
I HEREBY PLEDGE MYSELF-MY PERSON AND BODY-TO THE
Men, women and chil-
NONVIOLENT MOVEMENT. THEREFORE I WILL KEEP THE FOL-
nds, and then proceeded
LOWING TEN COMMANDMENTS:
: the Leadership Training
it with them to come to
1. MEDITATE daily on the teachings and life of Jesus.
MAY 01 '92 15:51
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
287 P04
64
WHY WB CAN'T WATE
2.
REMEMBER always that the nonviolent movement in
Birmingham seeks: justice and reconciliation-not
victory.
3: WALK and TALK in the manner of love, for God is
love.
4. PRAY daily to be used by God in order that all men
might be free.
5.
SACRIFICE personal wishes in order that all men might
be free.
6.
OBSERVE with both friend and foe the ordinary rules
of courtesy.
7.
SEEK to perform regular service for others and for
the world.
8. REFRAIN from the violence of fist, tongue, or heart.
9. STRIVE to be in good spiritual and bodily health.
10. FOLLOW the directions of the movement and of the
captain on a demonstration.
I sign this pledge, having seriously considered what
I do and with the determination and will to per
severe.
Name
Address
Phone
Nearest Relative
Address
Besides demonstrations, I could also help the move-
ment by: (Circle the proper items)
Run errands, Drive my car, Fix food for volunteers,
Clerical work, Make phone calls, Answer phones,
Mimeograph, Type, Print signs, Distribute leaflets.
ALABAMA CHRISTIAN MOVEMENT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
BIRMINGHAM Affiliate of S.C.L.C.
5051/2 North 17th Street
F.L. Shuttlesworth, President
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4562983;# 1
THE WHITE HOUSE
office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
May 1, 1992
PRESS BRIEFING
BY MARLIN FITZWATER
The Briefing Room
INDEX
10:32 A.M. EDT
SUBJECT
PAGE
ANNOUNCEMENTS
FRIDAY Enforcement
Situation in Los Angeles/Additional Law
1-4
M 10:40 #456-05/01 A.M.
EDT
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4562983;# 2
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
May 1, 1992
PRESS BRIEFING
BY MARLIN FITZWATER
The Briefing Room
10:32 A.M. EDT
MR. FITZWATER: There are encouraging reports that the
situation in Los Angeles is improving. Similarly, while there have
been protests in other cities, the violence has been generally under
control. We are encouraged by this situation, but share the concern
of everyone who is working to restore order in Los Angeles and other
areas.
In discussions with Governor Wilson and Mayor Bradley
and others, it is clear that a dangerous and difficult situation
remains. In discussions during the night and in phone conversations
with President Bush this morning, Governor Wilson requested federal
assistance. Similarly, the President spoke with Mayor Bradley this
morning who also said he would appreciate federal assistance.
In response to their request, the President has directed
that a number of actions be taken to help state and local authorities
bring the situation under control. The President has directed nearly
1,000 federal law enforcement officials to go to Los Angeles today,
1)
including SWAT teams and riot police, from the Border Patrol, the
Bureau of Prisons and the U.S. Marshal Service. The U.S. Army will
move approximately 4,000 troops from Fort Ord, California, to a
2/
staging area in Los Angeles where they can be utilized quickly and
effectively, if necessary.
The appropriate commanding officers of the United States
Army will coordinate today with the Governor, the Mayor, and other
California officials so that if the use of federal military troops is
needed, it can be expedited as swiftly as possible.
In his telephone conversations with the Governor and the
Mayor this morning, President Bush noted that there are currently
1,400 National Guardsmen on duty in the city of Los Angeles; another
1,200 are ready to provide support and up to 4,000 are located where
they can be utilized as necessary.
The President also emphasized that if the regular Army
Extended Page - 2.1
of the United The States is deployed he would move to federalize the
National Guard to ensure a unified command under regular Army
leadership. We want to emphasize that we expect all state and local
efforts to control the situation to be exhausted before federal
military are utilized.
All of these actions constitute supplemental assistance
to state and local authorities and do not change existing lines of
authority in the city of Los Angeles.
As the President stated yesterday, this is a tragic
situation that calls for understanding, tolerance and reason. But it
also is at tragic situation that cannot be allowed to continue. The
rule of law defines our freedom. The forces of repression,
MORE
#456-05/01
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- 2 -
suppression and anarchy cannot be allowed to continue. We will
continue to work with the state and the city to ensure that freedom
and public safety is restored.
Let me take a couple of questions. When the meeting
breaks we'll go ahead and end it.
law enforcement o officers, but then you said none of this changes the
Would you clarify -- you said a thousand federal
lines of authority. Who is in charge of those law enforcement
officers?
MR. FITZWATER: They will continue to work for the
agencies that they are responsible to now. In other words, the
Bureau of Prisons, the Border Patrol and the U.S. Marshal Service.
on
Marlin, could you go over the numbers here briefly.
The President has sent 1,000 law enforcement officers, plus 4,000
federal at the ready. I believe you said 1,400 National Guard troops
with 1,200 more in the area -- 4,000 more, so that's a total by my
count of 6,600 National Guardsmen plus the 5,000 or so federal forces
that he's mobilized today -- is that correct?
MR. FITZWATER: No, that's not correct, because the
National Guard forces are totally at the direction and control of the
Governor of the state of California.
or
In total number -- have I got the total numbers
right? He's mobilized 5,000 today --
MR. FITZWATER: No. He's mobilized 4,000 today from
Fort ord, California.
or
What about these 1,000 law enforcement --
MR. FITZWATER: And 1,000 law enforcement officials.
Four thousand military, 1,000 civilian law enforcement officials.
a
Marlin, how quickly can those --
MR. FITZWATER: I emphasize also that the military are
going to as staging area in Los Angeles and will not be on the streets
unless there is further orders, which would involve the
federalization of the process.
X
What would trigger that? Who would make that
decision? Does it have to -- does the Governor have to make another
request, or how does that happen?
MR. FITZWATER: That would be the result of
consultations with the Governor.
How quickly will those guys from Fort Ord be in
Extended Page
3.1
x
114/W
place in Los Angeles?
MR. FITZWATER: We expect them to be there today.
4,000 who are Q still available if necessary, why did Governor Wilson
since there are all those National Guardsmen, the
request further federal support?
MR. FITZWATER: The Governor has been utilizing his
resources as best he can and according to his own intelligence in the
additional federal support for any contingency problem that might
city. But he obviously felt that it would be important to have
come up over the weekend.
MORE
#456-05/01
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- 3 -
or
Do the federal troops have some ability that the
National Guard does not have?
MR. FITZWATER: I think they're all qualified.
of
That wasn't what I --
0
But, Marlin, what -- can you give us a status
report of the situation in other cities? Is there some concern that
because of the violence spreading, that this needs to be done to send
a signal?
MR. FITZWATER: I would have to refer you to the
Governor for the basis for his request, but I think the situation
there has been obvious to everyone. It's been difficult for two
nights in a row and the Governor simply wants to take all steps
necessary to bring the situation under control as rapidly as
possible.
Q
What about concerns in other cities, Marlin?
MR. FITZWATER: As I said, in the other cities there
have been protests in a number of them, but they appear to be under
control.
or
Are any other troops on alert elsewhere against the
possibility of a spread? And what about that Justice Department
report? How soon do you expect to get it?
MR. FITZWATER: We obviously have military forces at the
ready and the regular Army all across the country. But at this point
there's been no need to activate their use or to pinpoint them in any
special way.
0
How about the Justice Department report? What
about the urgency of that? You mentioned yesterday the urgency of
the situation is clear. When do you expect that investigation to be
continuing?
MR. FITZWATER: The Attorney General yesterday in his
press conference explained the investigation that they were
expediting and the timetable that they are working on. But that's
dictated entirely by the legal process and the due process activities
that they're involved in.
or
Did Mayor Bradley concur in bringing federal troops
to Los Angeles?
MR. FITZWATER: Mayor Bradley was very appreciative and
thanked the President for his support.
0
But the specific question of bringing federal
troops in -- did he concur?
Extended Page 4.1
MR. FITZWATER: Yes, absolutely.
this meeting or that he's holding right now and the other consultations
Marlin, what is the President hoping to get out of
that he's had overnight in terms of cooling this thing off and trying
to --
MR. FITZWATER: This is a listening session. He wants
to hear from leaders of various minority groups and from the Small
Business Administration and others that will be helping to
restablish order, to reestablish businesses, to help people readjust
when this is over and to hopefully bring it to a swift conclusion.
MORE
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Let me take one more question.
0
Is the President declaring a national emergency?
Under what authority does he act now? Is this an executive order or
just a -- I mean, is he allowed to just do this as Commander in
Chief?
MR. FITZWATER: The President is providing this
assistance simply as President of the United States and the executive
of the federal government. There is no proclamation here. We are
not sending troops in in any federalized effort. And they will not
be involved in the street patrols and other hostilities at this
point.
Thank you very much.
END
10:40 A.M. EDT
#456-05/01
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
01-May-1992 06:14pm
TO:
Sharon M. Botwin
FROM:
Jean M. Bunton
Office of Communications
SUBJECT: New FACTS!!!!!
New facts from Mayor Bradley's office -- Press Sec. Bunting
corrected herself said firefighters fought under 4,000 fires ---
not 5,000.
more to follow on injuries ASAP
jb
MAY- 1-92 FRI 11:34
FEMA/SL-AD
FAX NO. 2026464060
P.01
MANAGEMENT
Federal Emergency Management Agency
AGENCY
Washington, D.C. 20472
MAY 1 1902
MEMORANDUM FOR EDE HOLIDAY
ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT
AND SECRETARY OF THE CABINET
FROM: Mart
GRANT C. PETERSON
SUBJECT:
Situation Report: Los Angeles riots
Attached is a Situation Report on the Los Angeles riots.
If you need additional assistance or need additional information, please feel free to call us
at 646-3692.
MAY- 1-92 FRI 11:34
FEMA/SL-AD
FAX NO. 2026464060
P.02
PARKING
BRAND
Federal Emergency Management Agency
FEDERAL
Washington, D.C. 20472
May 1, 1992
11:00 a.m. EDT
SITUATION REPORT #2
civil Unrest in California
DATE AND TIME
OF OCCURRENCE: April 29, 1992
LOCATION: Los Angeles, California
1. SITUATION:
In the late afternoon on April 29, 1992, civil demonstrations of
over the aquittal verdicts in the Rodney King case turned
anger violent with fires set, businesses looted, people beaten, and loss
of life. The primary area of disorder is in South Central Los
Angeles.
April 30 and a dusk to dawn curfew was imposed for the entire city and
Emergencies were declared in the City and County of Los Angeles on
of Los Angeles. The violent disorder continued through the day
evening of April 30. city and County law enforcement personnel
were augmented by the CA Highway Patrol and the National Guard to
restore order and protect firefighting personnel.
By approximately 3:30 a.m. EDT on Friday, May 1, 1992, there seemed
to be a distinct change in the situation as officials began to get
control. The curfew and concentration of law enforcement worked to
significantly reduce the disturbance allowing firefighters the to
control fires. By 6:00 a.m. EDT local officials reported
situation was under control although many places in the City of Los
Angeles are still unsafe.
2. ESTIMATE OF CASUALTIES:
Thirty deaths have been reported--29 in Los Angeles and 1 in San
Bernadino. Approximately 900 people have been injured--149 have
needed intensive care.
3. SEVERITY AND IMPACT ON POLITICAL JURISDICTIONS:
Los Angeles:
Firefighting: Approximately 1750 firefighters have been
1
MAY- 1-92 FRI 11:35
FEMA/SL-AD
FAX NO. 2026464060
P.03
involved in firefighting operations. city and county
firefighters have fought 1,400 fires (1000 in the City of
L.A.). At 7:00 a.m. EDT, only 6 are still burning.
Operations were hinderd by the lack of physical security for
firefighters. Shots were fired at firefighters with an intent
to injure or kill. Some were physically attacked using
equipment taken from their trucks. To augment the
firefighting capability, strike units were sent into the City
of L.A. from other locations in the county and surrounding
counties. The City deployed 88 engines, 38 ladder trucks, 20
paramedic units and had 36 mutual aid strike teams supporting
local firefighters (A Strike Team is made-up of multiple
engines, a ladder truck, a paramedic unit and a command
officer.).
Law Enforcement. The California Highway Patrol mobilized 2200
officers to assist local police. An additional 700 will be
brought in as relief. The LA County Sheriff's Department
mobilized approximately 500 deputies.
Approximately 2600 National Guard troops were employed then
augmented by an additional 2000. An additional 2000 troups
have been requested bringing the total to 6000. At an early
morning press conference the Mayor of Los Angeles and the
Governor of California said that a delay in employing the
National Guard was due to time needed to issue them
ammunition. If the National Guard forces are not sufficient,
the Governor has talked to the President who agreed to provide
Federal law enforcement assistance if nesessary. Armoured
personnel carriers are being used. The California National
Guard is providing infra-red air flights for damage assessment
on the morning of May 1. The National Guard has provided 900
armored jacket to firefighters in LA City and another 500 in
Orange County; a total of 3500 available if requested. Police
are moving in "fleets" of a dozen cars for protection. The
curfew and show of force seems to be working. The curfew
seemed to be about 80% effective and most effective where
there was strong police presence. Approximately 800 pet...
have been arrested.
General:
The initial estimate of damage is $124 million. This includes
damage to about 25 county buildings, 9 postal facilities, and
up to 75 buildings destroyed and 50 buildings with major
damage.
Approximately 10,000 customers are without power. All
utilities in Southern California have implemented their civil
disturbance plans.
The Red Cross is operating shelters -- 200-250 people at an
2
MAY- 1-92 FRI 11:36
FEMA/SL-AD
FAX NO. 2026464060
P.04
AME Church and 100 people at Los Angeles High School-- were
sheltered over night.
Delays of flights at LAX, some flights diverted.
other Southern California Communities:.
There have also been isolated cases of looting and fires in
other communities including Pamona, Pasadena, West Hollywood,
Beverly Hills, Long Beach, San Bernadino, Baldwin Hills,
Athens, Watts-Willowbrook, Lennox, and unincorporated areas of
compton.
San Francisco:
Demonstrations, originally peaceful, spilled onto the top deck
of the Oakland Bay Bridge which was closed for a period.
Violence broke out in the Union Square area. Fires were set
but were mostly of a nusisance nature. Some looting occurred.
Over 400 people were arrested. Approximately 5 people have
been critically injured and 54 non-critically injured. The
highway patrol mobilized a substantial number of officers to
assist local officials. A state of emergency was declared for
the city and County of San Francisco and instituted a curfew
from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. on Thursday night. Damage
included window breakage and minor fire damage. The Macy's
store was entered and robbed. The Fairmont Hotel was
reportedly overun for a time. The BART system was shut down.
4.
STATUS OF DECLARATIONS:
A local state of emergency was declared for Los Angeles City
and County. The Governor also proclaimed a state of
emergency.
San Francisco has also declared a State of Emergency for the
city and County.
No Federal emergency or major disaster has been declared.
5.
STATUS OF RESPONSE OPERATIONS:
State and Local:
California office of Emergency Services personnel are
operating from their locations in Sacremento and have co-
located personnel at both the city and County of Los Angeles
Emergency Operating Centers. A staging area for fire and law
3
MAY- 1-92 FRI 11:36
FEMA/SL-AD
FAX NO. 2026464060
P.05
enforcement personnel has been established at the Los Alamitos
Armed Forces Center.
Federal:
The FEMA Assistant Associate Director, State and Local
Programs activated the Emergency Support Function #5 of the
Emergency Support Team at 2:30 p.m. EDT. The team will be
operational on a 24-hour basis until further notice. Telephone
numbers: (202) 646-2421; 2422 and 2423. FAX Number: (202) 646-
2414.
FEMA Region IX initiated information and monitoring activities
and opened their Regional Operation Center, Thursday morning,
April 29. The Region has been in communications with the
State and the other Federal agencies.
The FEMA Region IX Director is enroute to Los Angeles to meet
with Patricia Saiki, Administrator of the Small Business
Administration. Their itinerary for the day is attached.
A formal request for Federal law enforcement assistance was
made by the Governor of California and the Mayor of Los
Angeles. The President has announced that 1,000 law
enforcement officials comprised of civilian police, U.S.
Marshals and U.S. Border Patrol will be sent to the city of
Los Angeles to assist State and local authorites. The
President has also ordered 4,000 troops of the U.S. Army 7th
Infantry at Fort Ord to be on stand-by alert.
Emergency Support Function Communications requested
priority for National Guard forces to guard three Pacific Bell
and AT&T switches. The request was relayed to the State of
California by the FEMA Region and the security was provided.
6.
STATUS OF RECOVERY ACTIVITIES:
Region IX closed the Disaster Field Office at 235 South Robles
Street in Pasadena due to concerns for the safety of
employees. This DFO was handling the California Disaster
DR-935.
7.
STATUS OF ROUTINE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AND FACILITIES:
Several county and city buildings were burned including the
Department of Public Services building, two libraries, and
twenty other county buildings.
Federal Offices in Los Angeles were closed and employees were
told to stay home until further notice.
4
MAY- 1-92 FRI 11:37
FEMA/SL-AD
FAX NO. 2026464060
P.06
8.
REPORTS OF RELATED ACTIVITY IN OTHER AREAS:
Atlanta, Georgia--peaceful demonstrations on April 29, turned
violent in downtown Atlanta late in the afternoon, in the
Underground Atlanta Area. The State Capitol was closed as
well as the tourists area of underground Atlanta. Windows
were broken and a pedestrian beaten.
Las Vegas, Nevada- a police station was fire bombed. A
shopping center (center/west end of the city) one shopping
center burned to the ground and firefighters were not able to
respond due to estimated 2000 rounds fired. One hundred
thirty law enforcement officers and a SWAT team were unable to
provide safety to firefighters. The State declared an
Emergency. A curfew from 11:30 a.m. local time to dawn has
been imposed.
Disturbances were also reported in Seattle, WA, Madison, WI.
5
MAY- 1-92 FRI 11:37
FEMA/SL-AD
FAX NO. 2026464060
P.07
4/30/92
ITINERARY FOR SBA ADMINISTRATOR PATRICIA SAIKA
ACCOMPANIED BY FEMA REGION IX DIRECTOR BILL MEDIGOVICH
TOUR OF THE LOS ANGELES CITY/COUNTY FIRE/RIOT AREA
MAY 1, 1992
7:05 AM
Mr. Medigovich and Mr. Nicholas Nikas, Chief, Emergency Management and
National Preparedness Programs Division depart SFO, via United # 1257.
8:15 AM
Arrive Burbank airport. Mr. Medigovich and Mr. Nikas will be met at the
arrival gate by Mr. Alberto Alvarado, SBA Counsel, LA D: trict. Contact
telephone for SBA LA District Office (213) 094-2977; Fax: (213) 894-5665.
8:30 AM
Depart Burbank for City of LA Emergency Operations Center (EOC) briefing.
9:00 AM
Arrive City Hall East. Mrs. Patricia Saika, SBA Administrator and Mr. Oscar
Wright, SBA Regional Administartor, will join Mr. Medigovich at City Hall.
Situation briefing and damage assessment to be provided by Shirley Mattingly,
Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, and EOC Commander.
Location:
City of Los Angeles - City Hall East
200 N. Main Street, Room 300
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 485-6400 FAX: (213) 687-8213
Participants:
Patricia Saika, SBA Administrator
Oscar Wright, SBA Regional Administrator
Bill Medigovich, FEMA Regional Director
Nick Nikas, FEMA Chief, EMNPP Division
Shirley Mattingly, Emergency Preparedness
Coordinator, LA City
SBA Representatives
LA City Represenatives
9:45 AM
Depart for LA City Hall East Heliport. Tour to be provided for 5 principle
participants listed above.
10:00 AM
Fly-over of fire/riot area; observation of serious impact on businesses in area.
10:45 AM
Return to LA City Hall.
11:00 AM
Meeting with LA City Deputy Mayor Linda Griego. Briefing to be provided
on the Mayor's Rebuilding Task Force for recovery and reconstruction of the
disaster area. Assessment of "where we are at and where we are going".
MAY- 1-92 FRI 11:38
FEMA/SL-AD
FAX NO. 2026464060
P.08
-2-
11:30 AM
Meeting with LA City Mayor Tom Bradley.
12:00 N
LUNCH
1:00 PM
Afternoon itinerary open. Opportunity provided for follow-up as required
with the City of Los Angeles.
4:00 PM
Mr. Medigovich and Mr. Nikas depart LA City Hall for LAX.
5:00 PM
Depart LAX via US Air # 423.
6:08 PM
Arrive SFO.
Additional Contact Information:
Mr. Oscar Wright
Radisson Plaza Hotel
SBA Regional Admin.
Rosecrans/Sepulveda
Manhattan Beach, CA
(310) 546-7511
FAX: (310) 546-7520
Cellular: (415) 269-9567
Mr. Alberto Alvarado, home telephone (213) 256-3727.
SBA District Counsel
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2024566218-
4562983;# 1
May 1, 1992
MEMORANDUM FOR DAN
FROM:
JAG
SUBJECT:
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ACTION ON L.A. SITUATION
Spoke to M.K. Material on what we will do was considered
too sensitive (by Barr) to be directly sent to us -- it was faxed
to Skinner and now Dave is getting it directly from him. She did
read me over the phone what we have done up to this point. As
follows:
0
Immediately following the case, Dept. of Justice resumed
investigation into the Los Angeles case.
2
0
The night of the verdict, the Community Relations Service
(CRS) -- a justice team of 10 conciliators -- went to L.A.
3
Thursday, associate A.G. Wayne Budd (overseeing
investigation) sent to L.A. with a lawyer from his own staff
and 5 federal civil rights division prosecutors.
4 Pomt for - see brachets an speech,
WHITE HOUSE COMMCTR URC-112
FRI 01 MAY 92 01:18
PG.02
Talking points:
Two nights ago, violence erupted all over Los Angeles in
reaction to the verdict in the case of the police officers
charged in the beating of Rodney King. The verdict shocked a
nation, but so did the senseless acts of violence that broke out
in response -- violence which has already claimed lives and
injured many more people. We have seen videotaped tragedies
played out on television screens, and we have been forced to
confront some of the ugliest and most frightening evils in our
society: racism, violence, rage, lawlessness, and cynicism about
our system of law and justice.
I responded immediately.
Yesterday, I phoned Gov. Wilson and Mayor Bradley, and
offered to lend whatever assistance the state wanted or needed to
quell the violence.
In addition, the Department of Justice will continue its
criminal investigation of the police violence case in Los
Angeles, to ensure that the civil rights laws of our nation are
enforced equally and fully.
I also dispatched Pat Saiki, Administrator of the Small
Business Administration, to examine the impact of the *ing and
violence upon small businesses. We are prepared to off Aid,
such as loans, and technical assistance.
This morning, I met with Attorney General Bill Barr and
Director of the FBI William Sessions to receive an update on this
matter.
I grieve for the many people victimized by the brutality in
Los Angeles and elsewhere -- families who lost loved ones, eople
who lost jobs because mobs destroyed their workplaces and
businesses. There is no excuse for the wanton destruction or
property or cold-blooded murder in the streets.
I also want to praise the many brave people who did stand up
to the violence and looting, and who saved lives in the process.
These people showed the true strength and greatness of America.
For many Americans, the events of this week have revived
painful memories of the summer of 1968, when violence raged and a
nation mourned fallen leaders. Violence has spilled over into
other cities, such as Atlanta. We must bring this senseless
violence to an end. Together, we must condemn violence, and
promote respect for the rule of law -- and for our fellow women
and men.
We must assure all citizens of this great country that there
is no room for bigotry and racism in the American conscience. We
will not let this tragedy drive us apart.
WHITE HOUSE COMMCTR URC-112
FRI 01 MAY 92 01:18
PG.03
2
Each one of us plays a role in fighting racism, bigotry,
anti-Semitism. We should spend more time talking about old-
fashioned values that all of us take for granted: respect for
each other's rights; respect for property rights; a determination
to show our commitment to harmony.
We also have a duty to reach out to Americans who have been
shocked, frightened and hurt by these events. We must help them
believe again in our country and in ourselves.
Every one of us has a leadership position, and we all have a
responsibility to lead by example. We have had our differences
in the past, and we will have some in the future. But now, we
should pull together. Let us set aside our differences, and
complete a mission to wipe away the scourges of racism, bigotry,
hatred and suspicion.
[[ I will set an example by speaking out, and by looking for
ways to wipe away laws, and to resist practices and institutions
that divide us by race, religion, or background. ]]
I want you to contribute to constructive courses of action.
I want you to work with us to heal America's wounds. Together we
can forge a real and lasting foundation for progress.
SENT BY:Xerox Telecopier 7020 ; 5- 1-92 ; 7:33PM ;
4562983-
2024566218;# 1
(DDDMAF)
May 1, 1992
Draft Three
LA
PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS ON CIVIL DISORDER IN LOS ANGELES
MAY 1, 1992
9:00 PM
Tonight I want to talk to you about violence in our cities,
and justice for our citizens. Two big issues that have collided
on the streets of Los Angeles.
First, an update on where matters stand in Los Angeles.
Fifteen minutes ago I talked to California's Governor Pete Wilson
and Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley. They told me that last night
was better than the night before --- today calmer than yesterday -
- but there were still incidents of random terror and lawlessness
this afternoon.
In the wake of the first night's violence, I spoke directly
to both Governor Wilson and Mayor Bradley -- to assess the
situation, and to offer assistance.
There are two very different issues at hand. One is the
urgent need to restore order. What followed Wednesday's jury
verdict in the Rodney King case, was a tragic series of events
about
for the city of Los Angeles: 4,000 fires, staggering property
hundreds
damage, thousands of injuries, and the senseless deaths of over
thirty people.
So to restore order, right now, there are 3000 National
Guardsmen on duty in the City of Los Angeles. Another 2200 stand
ready to provide immediate support.
SENT BY:Xerox Telecopier 7020 ; 5- 1-92 ; 7:41PM ;
4562983-
2024566218;# 3
x
3
to my grandchildren? Civil rights leaders and just plain
citizens fearful of --- and sometimes victimized by police
brutality were deeply hurt. I know good and decent policemen who
were equally appalled.
I spoke this morning to many leaders of the civil rights
community. They saw the video, as we all did. For fourteen
months, they waited. Patiently. Hopefully. They waited for the
system to work. When the verdict came in, they felt betrayed.
Viewed from outside the trial, it was hard to understand how
the verdict could possibly square with the video. Those civil
rights leaders with whom I met were stunned. So was I. so was
Barbara. So were my kids.
But the verdict Wednesday was not the end of the process.
The Department of Justice had started its own investigation
immediately after the Rodney King incident and was monitoring the
state investigation and trial. So let me tell you what actions
we are taking on the federal level to ensure that justice is
served. Within one hour of the verdict, I directed the Justice
Department to move into high gear on its own independent criminal
investigation into the case.
Next, on Thursday, five federal prosecutors were on their
way to Los Angeles. Our Justice Department has consistently
demonstrated its ability to investigate fully a matter like this.
Since 1988 the Justice Department has successfully prosecuted
over 100 law enforcement officials for excessive violence. I'm
SENT
BY:Xerox
Telecopier
070/-
2
There are two very different issues at hand. One is the
question of whether the civil rights of Rodney King were
violated. So let me tell you what actions we are taking on the
federal level to ensure that justice is served.
The verdict Wednesday was not the end of the process.
Dan
Within one hour of the verdict, X I directed the Justice Department
X
X
X
X
X
Levin
to move into high gear on its own X federal criminal investigation
1514- 3892
into the King case.
X
On Thursday, at my direction, Associate Attorney General
X
x
x
X
Wayne Budd was immediately dispatched to Los Angeles with five
X
X
federal civil rights division prosecutors. Our Justice
X
x
Department has often demonstrated its ability to fully
investigate x X a matter like this. X In the last
x
Porte
the Justice
Department has successfully prosecuted
of police violence
cases. I'm confident that in this case, the Department of
Justice will act as it should as well.
The federal effort in this case will be swift -- and it will
be fair. It will not be driven by mob violence, but by respect
for due process and the rule of law.
We owe it to all Americans who put their faith in the law to
see that justice is served. But as we move forward on this or
any other case, we must remember the fundamental tenet of our
legal system: every American is entitled to his or her rights.
Beyond the question of civil rights, there is the urgent
need to restore order. What followed Wednesday's jury verdict in
the city of Los Angeles was a tragic series of events: 1,500
SENT BY:Xerox Telecopier 7020 ; 5- 1-92 ; 7:36PM ;
4562983->
2024566218:# 6
6
behind the wheel of his truck and tried to drive away. But his
eyes were swollen shut. The woman asked him if he could see. He
answered no. She said, "Well, then I will be your eyes. 11
Together, those four people braved the mob and drove that
truck driver to the hospital. He is alive today -- only because
they stepped in to help.
It is for every one of them that we must rebuild the
community of Los Angeles --- for these four people and the others
like them who in the midst of this nightmare acted with simple
human decency.
We must understand that no one in Los Angeles or any other
city has rendered a verdict on America. If we are to remain the
most vibrant and hopeful nation on earth we must allow our
diversity to bind us together, not drive us apart. This must be
the rallying cry of good and decent people.
For their sake, for all our sakes: We must build a future
where in every city across this country, empty rage gives way to
hope - where poverty and despair give way to opportunity. We
must keep on working to create a climate of understanding and
tolerance. We must not tolerate racism, bigotry, anti-semitism,
and hate of any kind, anytime, anywhere.
This weekend, I ask all Americans to lend their hearts,
their voices, and their prayers to the healing of hatred. As
President I took an oath to preserve, protect, and defend the
Constitution -- an oath that requires every President to
SENT BY:Xerox Telecopier 7020
4002300
2
There are two very different issues at hand. One is the
question of whether the civil rights of Rodney King were
violated. So let me tell you what actions we are taking on the
federal level to ensure that justice is served.
JA6/DOJ
The verdict Wednesday was not the end of the process.
Within one hour of the verdict, I directed the Justice Department
to move into high gear on its own federal criminal investigation
into the King case.
On Thursday, at my direction, Associate Attorney General
Wayne Budd was immediately dispatched to Los Angeles with five
federal civil rights division prosecutors. Our Justice
Department has often demonstrated its ability to fully
Roges
investigate a matter like this. In the last
the Justice
Unter
Department has successfully prosecuted
of police violence
Jto
cases. I'm confident that in this case, the Department of
Horide
Justice will act as it should as well.
The federal effort in this case will be swift -- and it will
be fair. It will not be driven by mob violence, but by respect
for due process and the rule of law.
We owe it to all Americans who put their faith in the law to
see that justice is served. But as we move forward on this or
any other case, we must remember the fundamental tenet of our
legal system: every American is entitled to his or her rights.
Beyond the question of civil rights, there is the urgent
need to restore order.
What followed Wednesday's jury verdict in
the city of Los Angeles was a tragic series of events: 1,500 0
Just unle 4,000
SENT BY:Xerox Telecopier 7020 ; 5- 1-92 ; 7:34PM ;
4562983-
2024566218:# 2
2
Today, to supplement this effort, I've taken several
additional actions. First, I have ordered the Justice Department
to dispatch 1000 Federal riot-trained law enforcement officials
to help restore order in Los Angeles -- beginning tonight. These
officials include FBI SWAT teams, special riot control units of
the U.S. Marshals Service, the Border Patrol, and other federal
law enforcement agencies.
Second, another 1000 Federal Law Enforcement officials are
on stand by alert should they be needed.
Third, I have aut directe D 3000 members of the 7th Infantry,
and 1500 Marines to stand by at El Toro Air Station, California,
available for duty this evening. And in the event these troops
are sent in, I am prepared to Federalize the National Guard.
What we saw last night and the night before in Los Angeles
is not about civil rights. It is not about the great cause of
equality that all Americans must uphold. It is not a message of
protest. It is now the brutality of a mob -- pure and simple.
Let me assure you, I will use whatever force is necessary to
restore order. What is going on in L.A. must and will stop. As
your President, I guarantee you this violence will end.
Now let us talk about the beating of Rodney King. Because,
beyond the urgent need to restore order is the second issue: the
question of whether the actions of the police violated Rodney
King's federal civil rights.
What you saw and what I saw on the TV video was revolting.
I felt anger. I felt pain. I thought: How can I explain this
SENT BY:Xerox Telecopier 7020 ; 5-- 1-92 ; 7:34PM ;
4562983->
20245662181# 3
3
to my grandchildren? civil rights leaders and just plain
citizens fearful of and sometimes victimized by police brutality
were deeply hurt. I know good and decent policemen who were
equally appalled.
I spoke this morning to many leaders of the civil rights
community. They saw the video, as we all did. For fourteen
months, they waited. Patiently. Hopefully. They waited for the
system to work. When the verdict came in, they felt betrayed.
Viewed from outside the trial, it was hard to understand how
the verdict could possibly square with the video. Those civil
rights leaders with whom I met were stunned. So was I. so was
Barbara. So were my kids.
But the verdict Wednesday was not the end of the process.
The Department of Justice had started its own investigation
immediately after the Rodney King incident and was monitoring the
state investigation and trial. So let me tell you what actions
we are taking on the federal level to ensure that justice is
served. Within one hour of the verdict, I directed the Justice
Department to move into high gear on its own independent criminal
investigation into the case.
Next, on Thursday,. at my direction, five federal prosecutors
were on their way to Los Angeles. Our Justice Department has
often demonstrated its ability to investigate fully a matter like
this. Since 1988 the Justice Department has successfully
prosecuted over 100 law enforcement officials for excessive
SENT BY:Xerox Telecopier 7020 ; 5- 1-92 ; 7:35PM ;
4562983-
2024566218;# 4
4
violence. I'm confident that in this case, the Department of
Justice will act as it should.
Federal grand jury action is underway today in Los Angeles.
Subpoenas have been issued. Evidence is being reviewed.
The federal effort in this case will be swift -- and it will
be fair. It will not be driven by mob violence, but by respect
for due process and the rule of law.
We owe it to all Americans who put their faith in the law to
see that justice is served. But as we move forward on this or
any other case, we must remember the fundamental tenet of our
legal system: every American, whether accused, or accuser, is
entitled to protection of his or her rights.
In this highly controversial court case a verdict was handed
down by a California jury. To Americans of all races who were
shocked by the verdict, let me say this: you must understand that
our system of justice provides for the peaceful, orderly means of
addressing this frustration. We must respect the process of law
whether or not we agree with the outcome. There is a difference
between frustration with the law and direct assaults upon it.
In a civilized society, there can be no excuse -- no excuse
--- for the murder, arson, theft, and vandalism that have
SOUTH-CENTRAL
terrorized the law-abiding citizens of Bost Los Angeles.
The wanton destruction of life and property is not a
legitimate expression of outrage with injustice -- it is itself
injustice. And no rationalization, no matter how heart-felt, no
matter how eloquent, can make it otherwise.
SENT BY:Xerox Telecopier 7020 ; 5- 1-92 ; 7:43PM ;
4562983->
2024566218:# 6
6
Among the many stories I've seen and heard about these past
few days, one sticks in my mind. The story of one savagely
beaten white truck driver -- alive tonight because four
strangers, four black strangers, came to his aid. Two were men
who had been watching television and saw the beating as it was
happening, and came out into the street to help. Another was a
woman on her way home from work -- the fourth, a young man whose
name we may never know. The injured driver was able to get
behind the wheel of his truck and tried to drive away. But his
eyes were swollen shut. The woman asked him if he could see. He
answered no. She said, "Well, then I will be your eyes."
Together, those four people braved the mob and drove that
truck driver to the hospital. He is alive today -- only because
they stepped in to help. When people need help race doesn't matter.
It is for every one of them that we must rebuild the
community of Los Angeles -- for these four people and the others
like them who in the midst of this nightmare acted with simple
human decency.
We must understand that no one in Los Angeles or any other
city has rendered a verdict on America. If we are to remain the
most vibrant and hopeful nation on earth we must allow our
diversity to bring us together, not drive us apart. This must be
the rallying cry of good and decent people.
For their sake, for all our sakes: We must build a future
where in every city across this country, empty rage gives way to
hope -- where poverty and despair give way to opportunity. Even
SENT BY:Xerox Telecopier 7020 ; 5- 1-92 ; 7:43PM ;
4562983-
2024566218;# 7
7
after peace is restored to Los Angeles, we must then turn again
to the underlying causes of such tragic events. Racism is on the
rise in our country. It must be stopped. We must keep on
working to create a climate of understanding and tolerance -- a
climate that refuses to accept racism, bigotry, anti-semitism,
and hate of any kind, anytime, anywhere.
Tonight, I ask all Americans to lend their hearts, their
voices, and their prayers to the healing of hatred. As President
I took an oath to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution
-- an oath that requires every President to establish justice and
insure domestic tranquility. That duty is foremost in my mind
tonight.
Let me say to the people saddened by the spectacle of the
past few days -- to the good people of Los Angeles, caught at the
center of this senseless suffering: The violence will end.
Justice will be served. Hope will return.
Thank you, and God bless the United States of America.
# # #
Nat'l guard
LA 3059 or street
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Mochel
(DDDMAF)
May 1, 1992
Draft Three
LA
PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS ON CIVIL DISORDER IN LOS ANGELES
MAY 1, 1992
9:00 PM
Tonight, my heart goes out to those who have felt betrayed
by a system of justice that seemed to have gone wrong -- and to
those who have suffered since from the angry reaction of a
frustrated and misguided mob.
Two days ago, in a highly controversial court case, a
verdict was handed down by a California jury. To Americans of
all races who were shocked by the verdict, let me say this. I
spoke this morning to many leaders of the civil rights community.
They saw the video of Rodney King being beaten by the police, as
did the rest of us. For fourteen months, they waited.
Patiently. Hopefully. They waited for the system to work. When
the verdict came in, they felt betrayed.
Viewed from outside the trial, it was hard to understand how
the verdict could possibly square with the video. Those civil
rights leaders with whom I met were stunned. So was I. So was
Barbara. So were my kids. But those shocked and angered by this
outcome must understand: our system of justice provides for the
peaceful, orderly means of addressing this frustration. But we
must respect the process of law whether or not we agree with the
2
outcome. There is a difference between frustration with the law
and direct assaults upon it.
There are two very different issues at hand. One is the
question of whether the actions of the police violated Rodney
King's federal civil rights. So let me tell you what actions we
are taking on the federal level to ensure that justice is served.
The verdict Wednesday was not the end of the process.
Within one hour of the verdict, I directed the Justice Department
to move into high gear on its own independent criminal
investigation into the case.
On Thursday, at my direction, Associate Attorney General
Wayne Budd was immediately dispatched to Los Angeles with five
federal civil rights division prosecutors. Our Justice
Department has often demonstrated its ability to investigate
fully a matter like this. In the last
the Justice
Department has successfully prosecuted
of police violence
cases. I'm confident that in this case, the Department of
Justice will act as it should.
Federal grand jury action is underway today in Los Angeles.
Subpoenas have been issued. Evidence is being reviewed.
The federal effort in this case will be swift -- and it will
be fair. It will not be driven by mob violence, but by respect
for due process and the rule of law.
We owe it to all Americans who put their faith in the law to
see that justice is served. But as we move forward on this or
any other case, we must remember the fundamental tenet of our
3
legal system: every American is entitled to protection of his or
her rights.
Beyond the question of civil rights, there is a second
fundamental issue: the urgent need to restore order. What
As of
followed Wednesday's jury verdict in the city of Los Angeles was
10am
a tragic series of events: 1,500 fires, staggering property
damage
damage, thousands of injuries, and the senseless deaths of over
business
852.
thirty people.
13 7 other of
readences tructures
An innocent truck driver, chosen at random, was pulled out
his cab in broad daylight. He was punched, kicked -- beaten
883 damage yemsto
the point of unconsciousness, robbed, and left to bleed in the
street. The brutality we saw on our television sets was as
sickening as it was terrifying.
What is going on now in Los Angeles is not about civil
rights. It is not about the great cause of equality that all
151 bus
Americans must uphold. It is not a message of protest. It is
25
now the barbarism of a mob -- pure and simple.
What is going on in L.A. must and will stop. Order will be
restored to the streets of Los Angeles.
In a civilized society, there can be no excuse -- no excuse
-- for the murder, arson, theft, and vandalism that have
terrorized the law-abiding citizens of East Los Angeles.
The wanton destruction of life and property is not a
legitimate expression of outrage with injustice -- it is itself
injustice. And no rationalization, no matter how heart-felt, no
matter how eloquent, can make it otherwise. In the wake of the
SC
first night's violence, I spoke directly with California Pete General DODe
4
Wilson, and Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley -- to assess the
John
Heldstab 695-0526
DOD
situation, and to offer assistance.
Right now, there are [1400] National 3059 Guardsmen on duty in to
the City of Los Angeles. Another [1200] stand ready to provide
immediate support.
2,40
2,500 Role in support
Today, to supplement this effort to restore order, I've
taken several additional actions. First, I have ordered the
Dan
Justice Department to dispatch 1000 Federal riot-trained law
Levin Ship
enforcement officials to help restore order in Los Angeles --
Chief - 3892
beginning tonight. These officials include FBI SWAT teams,
Bill
special riot control units of the U.S. Marshal Service, the
Border Patrol, and other federal law enforcement agencies.
Second, another 1000 Federal Law Enforcement officials are
Kanger
on stand by alert should they be needed.
2,600
Third, I have authorized 3000 members of the 7th Infantry,
1,400
and 1500 Marines to stand by at El Toro Air Station, California,
DOD
available for duty this evening. And in the event these troops
Generatand 3,000
are sent in, I am prepared to Federalize the National Guard.
& by 1500
Television has become a medium that often brings us
together. But its vivid display of Rodney King's beating shocked
us. Its sudden rendering of the jury's verdict tore us apart.
And the America it has shown us on our screens these last 48
hours has appalled us. None of this is what we wish to think of
as American. It is as if we were looking in a mirror that
5
distorted our better selves and turned us ugly. We cannot let
that happen. We cannot do that to ourselves.
We have seen images in the last 48 hours that we will never
forget. Some were horrifying almost beyond belief. But there
were other acts -- small, but significant acts in all this
ugliness that give us hope: People who have spent each night not
in the streets, but in the churches of east Los Angeles --
praying that man's gentler instincts be revealed in the hearts of
people driven by hate. There were the citizens who showed great
personal responsibility -- who ignored the mob -- who at great
personal danger, helped the victims of violence -- regardless of
race.
Among the many stories I've seen and heard about these past
few days, one sticks in my mind. The story of one savagely
beaten white truck driver -- alive tonight because four
strangers, four black strangers, came to his aid. Two were men
who had been watching television and saw the beating as it was
happening, and came out into the street to help. Another was a
woman on here way home from work -- the fourth, a young man whose
name we may never know. Together, those four people braved the
mob and drove that truck driver to the hospital. He is alive
today -- only because they stepped in to help.
It is for every one of them that we must rebuild the
community of Los Angeles -- for these four people and the others
like them who in the midst of this nightmare acted with simple
human decency.
6
We must understand that no one in Los Angeles or any other
city has rendered a verdict on America. If we are to remain the
most vibrant and hopeful nation on earth we must allow our
diversity to bind us together, not drive us apart. This must be
the rallying cry of good and decent people.
For their sake, for all our sakes: We must build a future
where in every city across this country, empty rage gives way to
hope -- where poverty and despair give way to opportunity. We
must keep on working to create a climate of understanding and
tolerance. We must not tolerate racism, bigotry, anti-semitism,
and hate of any kind, anytime, anywhere.
This weekend, I ask all Americans to lend their hearts,
their voices, and their prayers to the healing of hatred. As
President I took an oath to preserve, protect, and defend the
Constitution -- an oath that requires every President to
establish justice and insure domestic tranquility. That duty is
foremost in my mind tonight.
Let me say to the people saddened by the spectacle of the
past few days -- to the good people of East Los Angeles, caught
at the center of this senseless suffering: The violence will
end. Justice will be served. Hope will return.
Thank you, and God bless the United States of America.
# # #
- 5 -
VIEWED FROM OUTSIDE THE TRIAL, IT WAS HARD TO
UNDERSTAND HOW THE VERDICT COULD POSSIBLY SQUARE WITH
THE VIDEO. THOSE CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERS WITH WHOM I MET
WERE STUNNED. SO WAS I. so WAS BARBARA. SO WERE MY
KIDS.
BUT THE VERDICT WEDNESDAY WAS NOT THE END OF THE
PROCESS. THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE HAD STARTED ITS OWN
A
INVESTIGATION IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE RODNEY KING
INCIDENT AND WAS MONITORING THE STATE INVESTIGATION AND
TRIAL. SO LET ME TELL YOU WHAT ACTIONS WE ARE TAKING
ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL TO ENSURE THAT JUSTICE IS SERVED.
WITHIN ONE HOUR OF THE VERDICT, I DIRECTED THE JUSTICE
DEPARTMENT TO MOVE INTO HIGH GEAR ON ITS OWN
INDEPENDENT CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE CASE.
SENT BY:Xerox Telecopier 7020 ; 5- 1-92 ; 7:41PM ;
4562983-
2024566218:# 1
X
(DDDMAF)
May 1, 1992
Draft Three
LA
PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS ON CIVIL DISORDER IN LOS ANGELES
MAY 1, 1992
9:00 PM
Tonight I want to talk to you about violence in our cities,
and justice for our citizens. Two big issues that have collided
on the streets of Los Angeles.
First, an update on where matters stand in Los Angeles.
Fifteen minutes ago I talked to California's Governor Pete Wilson
and Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley. They told me that last night
was better than the night before -- today calmer than yesterday -
- but there were still incidents of random terror and lawlessness
this afternoon.
In the wake of the first night's violence, I spoke directly
to both Governor Wilson and Mayor Bradley --- to assess the
situation, and to offer assistance.
There are two very different issues at hand. One is the
urgent need to restore order. What followed Wednesday's jury
verdict in the Rodney King case was a tragic series of events for
the city of Los Angeles: nearly 4,000 fires, staggering property
damage, hundreds of injuries, and the senseless deaths of over
thirty people.
To restore order, right now, there are 3000 National
Guardsmen on duty in the City of Los Angeles. Another 2200 stand
ready to provide immediate support.
SENT BY:Xerox Telecopier 7020 ; 5- 1-92 ; 7:41PM ;
4562983-
2024566218;# 2
X
2
Today, to supplement this effort, I've taken several
additional actions. First, I have ordered the Justice Department
to dispatch 1000 Federal riot-trained law enforcement officials
to help restore order in Los Angeles -- beginning tonight. These
officials include FBI SWAT teams, special riot control units of
the U.S. Marshals Service, the Border Patrol, and other federal
law enforcement agencies.
Second, another 1000 Federal Law Enforcement officials are
on stand by alert should they be needed.
Third, I have directed 3000 members of the 7th Infantry, and
1500 Marines to stand by at El Toro Air Station, California,
available for duty this evening. And in the event these troops
are sent in, I am prepared to Federalize the National Guard.
What we saw last night and the night before in Los Angeles
is not about civil rights. It is not about the great cause of
equality that all Americans must uphold. It is not a message of
protest. It is now the brutality of a mob -- pure and simple.
Let me assure you, I will use whatever force is necessary to
restore order. What is going on in L.A. must and will stop. As
your President, I guarantee you this violence will end.
Now let us talk about the beating of Rodney King. Because,
beyond the urgent need to restore order is the second issue: the
question of justice -- whether the actions of the police violated
Rodney King's federal civil rights.
What you saw and what I saw on the TV video was revolting.
I felt anger. I felt pain. I thought: How can I explain this
SENT BY:Xerox Telecopier 7020 ; 5- 1-92 ; 7:42PM ;
4562983-
2024566218:# 4
4
confident that in this case, the Department of Justice will act
as it should.
Federal grand jury action is underway today in Los Angeles.
Subpoenas have been issued. Evidence is being reviewed.
The federal effort in this case will be swift -- and it will
be fair. It will not be driven by mob violence, but by respect
for due process and the rule of law.
We owe it to all Americans who put their faith in the law to
see that justice is served. But as we move forward on this or
any other case, we must remember the fundamental tenet of our
legal system: every American, whether accused, or accuser, is
entitled to protection of his or her rights.
In this highly controversial court case a verdict was handed
down by a California jury. To Americans of all races who were
shocked by the verdict, let me say this: you must understand that
our system of justice provides for the peaceful, orderly means of
addressing this frustration. We must respect the process of law
whether or not we agree with the outcome. There is a difference
between frustration with the law and direct assaults upon our
legal system.
In a civilized society, there can be no excuse -- no excuse
-- for the murder, arson, theft, and vandalism that have
terrorized the law-abiding citizens of Los Angeles.
The wanton destruction of life and property is not a
legitimate expression of outrage with injustice -- it is itself
SENT BY:Xerox Telecopier 7020 ; 5- 1-92 ; 7:42PM ;
4562983-
2024566218:# 5
*
5
injustice. And no rationalization, no matter how heart-felt, no
matter how eloquent, can make it otherwise.
Television has become a medium that often brings us
together. But its vivid display of Rodney King's beating shocked
us. And the America it has shown us on our screens these last 48
hours has appalled us. None of this is what we wish to think of
as American. It is as if we were looking in a mirror that
distorted our better selves and turned us ugly. We cannot let
that happen. We cannot do that to ourselves.
We have seen images in the last 48 hours that we will never
forget. Some were horrifying almost beyond belief. But there
were other acts - small, but significant acts in all this
ugliness that give us hope: I'm one who respects our police.
They keep the peace. They face danger every day. They help
kids. They don't make a lot of money -- but they care about
their communities and their country. Thousands of police
officers are risking their lives right now on the streets of L.A.
and they deserve our support.
Then there are the people who have spent each night not in
South
central
the streets, but in the churches of east Los Angeles -- praying
that man's gentler instincts be revealed in the hearts of people
driven by hate. Finally, there were the citizens who showed
great personal responsibility -- who ignored the mob -- who at
great personal danger, helped the victims of violence --
regardless of race.
L.A. TIMES 05/01/92
"One more minute, just one more
the television, watching the may-
Beaten Driver
minute, and he would have been
hem in Los Angeles streets. And
dead," one of his rescuers said a
then he noticed the long blond hair,
paramedic told him at the door.
the red cab and a pair of familiar
a Searing Image
The incident started a couple of
black boots.
hours after a white jury acquitted
"My heart sank to my stomach.
four Los Angeles police officers of
It was Reggie," Cole said.
of Mob Cruelty
beating King. Denny, a $16.70-an-
Denny's roommate was horrified
hour driver, had been dispatched
by the same televised scene.
21/120/122
from an Azusa quarry at 5:39 p.m.
"I couldn't believe what I was
just as news of the acquittal was
seeing," said roommate Don Kel-
By LAURIE BECKLUND
getting out.
ley, 28. "He was just lying there.
and STEPHANIE CHAVEZ
His job was routine: to deliver 27
No one was helping. We got two
TIMES STAFF WRITERS
tons of sand to an Inglewood ce-
baseball bats and said 'Let's go get
At every watershed through
ment mixing plant. His red cab
him.''
time, it seems a face emerges to
pulled two loaded bins. He took the
Shelly Montez, 29, Denny's for-
transfix a moment in history. In
usual route, San Bernardino Free-
mer wife, found out about the
Vietnam, a naked girl fled napalm.
way west, south on the Harbor, off
incident from her mother, who also
In Tian An Men Square, a single
at Florence.
had recognized Denny on TV. At
student stared down a line of
About 6:30 p.m. the rig trundled
one point she heard a news report
Chinese tanks. In Los Angeles last
to the intersection where the first
of a death at Daniel Freeman
year, Rodney G. King lay prone
violence had erupted-bottle and
hospital.
and beaten.
rock throwing, overturned trash
can't tell you what I felt like to
Now, a white cement truck driv-
cans. As Denny slowed in the midst
have to make that call to the
er beaten nearly into oblivion in
of the melee, the rig was surround-
hospital," said Montez, of Santa
South-Central Los Angeles has
ed by about five black men.
Clarita. "I never felt SO over-
become the face on the flip side of
As thousands watched at home
whelmed with emotion."
the Rodney King coin, the unoffi-
on their television sets, one rioter
Montez kept their daughter Ash-
cial black-on-white response to
yanked open the truck door and
ley from the television, telling her
the official white-on-black beat-
pulled Denny from his cab. At least
only that "daddy happened to be in
ing.
two others beat his head and
the middle of big fight and people
His name is Reginald Oliver
kicked him, knocking him to the
took their anger out on him."
Denny. He is 36. He is alive
asphalt. After kicking him, one
because four strangers-four black
man raised up his hands and waved
strangers from the very crowd that
to the watching crowd. Denny
D
enny underwent three hours
of emergency brain surgery
had beaten him nearly to death-
tried to move, turning on his side.
about midnight to remove two
emerged to drive his unwieldy
Another man then bashed Denny's
blood clots. By daybreak he had
18-wheeler out of pandemonium to
skull with a fire extinguisher from
stabilized, Montez said. He was in
safety.
the truck.
critical but stable condition Thurs-
The rescuers were two women
As he lay on the ground, another
day afternoon.
and two men: a young nutrition
man walked up and for about eight
"We got the most wonderful
consultant, a laid-off data control
seconds rifled through his pockets,
news this morning," she said
worker. an unemployed aerospace
sprinting away with Denny's wal-
Thursday. "He can squeeze his
worker and a still-unidentified
let.
hands and wiggle his feet. He
young man in black whose fellow
nodded 'no' when a nurse asked
rescuers first feared was a gang-
him if he was in pain."
banger coming to finish Denny off.
B
y the time T.J. Murphy, 30,
arrived with his friend Tee
When Denny's neighbor and
"Those people didn't even know
roommate reached the hospital,
him and risked their lives to aid
Barnett, 28, the pair saw no choice
him," said Don Kelley, 28, Denny's
but to intervene. "It was just like
they could barely recognize their
friend. Cole said Denny's head was
roommate. "If no one had helped
Rodney King," Murphy said.
"They beat, beat and beat him."
swollen like a "big round ball of
him, he would be dead."
water." His fingers and arms were
The rescue came almost too
A young nutrition consultant on
crusted with blood. His eyes were
late-as long as 20 to 30 minutes
her way home from work had
swollen shut, a respirator tube
after the beating. At least two of
already jumped into the fray. As
the injured Denny tried desperate-
jammed down his throat.
the rescuers found themselves
"I told him everything was going
lured to the scene by the power of
ly to drive his rig out of the war
to be OK. We care about him, we
television pictures, broadcast live
zone, she hoisted herself onto the
love him," Kelley said. He believed
from near the intersection of Nor-
side of the truck and was shouting
that Denny heard him and saw a
mandie and Florence avenues.
steering instructions to Denny,
"We were watching TV at
whose eyes were swollen shut. To
tear that rolled from his right eye.
In the end, Denny's friends and
home," said T.J. Murphy, 30, the
the right, she would yell, now to
rescuers reached out to find each
the left.
aerospace engineer. 'Somebody's
As the truck inched forward, a
other-his rescuers in hopes of
got to get that guy out of there,' we
finding out how Denny had fared,
said to each other."
black clad young man-who Mur-
and his family in hopes of thanking
phy initially thought was a gang
them.
T
hey assumed police would help
member-jumped in the driver's
"We found out that both Denny
the man, but got in their car to
seat of the truck. The consultant
climbed inside the cab to console
and I had 8-year-old daughters,"
drive over for a look at the brewing
said Barnett on Thursday.
neighborhood confrontation.
the injured man, and Murphy took
over the job of guiding the new
"Black boys playing with white
When they arrived, the police
were nowhere to be seen at the
driver, who was unable to see
boys-that's what Dr. King talked
site, where a television camera-
through the shattered windshield.
about. Working together. Playing
man, shooting from a helicopter,
"You're going make it," the con-
together. But his dream doesn't
stand a chance, does it? Not until
had captured that image of Denny
sultant kept telling Denny, even as
she had to hold him upright.
people learn to get along. Evident-
being beaten by angry thugs.
"You're going to be OK."
ly, we're not living the same
Instead, the gravely injured
dream."
man-his face awash in blood and
As the black-clad driver tried
his eyes swollen shut-had some-
desperately to speed up the awk-
how managed to get back behind
ward, heavy rig, Barnett drove in
the wheel and was now trying to
front of the truck, putting on her
make his getaway an inch at a
hazard lights to try to clear the
time.
way.
Braving hostile onlookers,
Eventually, the truck sped up to
stalled cars and general chaos,
40 m.p.h and inched toward 50.
Murphy and his friend joined two
After a trip that seemed to take
others who eventually helped de-
hours, the rig screeched into the
liver Denny to the door of the
driveway at Daniel Freeman hos-
Daniel Freeman Memorial Hospital
pital.
emergency room. Just as the big
Twenty miles away in Covina.
rig drove up to the door, Denny
Jerry Cole, Denny's next-door
went into convulsions and started
neighbor and friend, was riveted to
spitting up blood.
1,600 severy damagnd businesses
3,00bis effortal Nevan (numd or)
Bunting #5
Mayorsofine
SENT
BY:Xerox
Deaft 2
(DDDMAF)
May 1, 1992
4pm
Draft Two
LA
PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS ON CIVIL DISORDER IN LOS ANGELES
MAY 1, 1992
9:00 PM
Tonight, my heart goes out to those who have felt betrayed
by a system of justice that seemed to have gone wrong -- and to
those have suffered since from the angry reaction of a frustrated
and misguided mob.
Two days ago, in a highly publicized and controversial court
case, a verdict was handed down by a California jury. To
Americans of all races who were shocked by the verdict, let me
at the White House
say this. I spoke this morning to many leaders of the civil
rights community. They saw the video of Rodney King being beaten
by the police, as did the rest of us. For fourteen months, they
from March 3, 1991- april 12
waited. Patiently. Hopefully. They waited for the system to
work. When the verdict came in, they felt betrayed.
We all felt it hard to comprehend how the verdict could
possibly square with the video. Those civil rights leaders were
stunned. So was I. So was Barbara. so were my kids. But those
ashamed and angered by this outcome must understand: our system
of justice provides for the peaceful, orderly means of addressing
this frustration. There is a difference between frustration with
the law and direct assaults upon it.
SENT
BY:Xerox
Telecopier
7020
3
hundreds
fires, staggering property damage, thousands of injuries, and the
senseless deaths of over thirty people.
An innocent truck driver, chosen at random, was pulled out
of his cab in broad daylight. He was punched, kicked -- beaten
to the point of unconsciousness, robbed, and left to bleed in the
street. The brutality we saw on our television sets was as
sickening as it was terrifying.
What is going on now in Los Angeles is not about civil
rights. It is not about the great cause of equality that all
Americans must uphold. It is not a message of protest. It is
now the barbarism of a mob -- pure and simple.
What is going on in L.A. must and will stop. Order will be
restored to the streets of Los Angeles.
In a civilized society, there can be no excuse -- no excuse
-- for the murder, arson, theft, and vandalism that have
terrorized the law-abiding citizens of East Los Angeles.
The wanton destruction of life and property is not a
legitimate expression of outrage with injustice -- it is itself
injustice. And no rationalization, no matter how heart-felt, no
matter how eloquent, can make it otherwise.un the wake of the
first night's violence, I spoke directly with California Pete
Wilson, and Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley -- to assess the
situation, and to offer assistance.
Right now, there are [1400] National Guardsmen on duty in
the city of Los Angeles. Another [1200] stand ready to provide
immediate support.
SENT BY:Xerox Telecopier 7020 5- 1-92 4:58PM
4502803
4
Today, to supplement this effort to restore order, I've
taken several additional actions. First, I have ordered the
Justice Department to dispatch [1000] Federal riot-trained law
enforcement officials to help restore order in Los Angeles --
begin ning tonight. These officials include SWAT teams and riot
police, members of the Border Patrol and Bureau of Prisons and
the U.S. Marshall Service.
Second, another [750] Federal Law Enforcement officials are
on stand by alert should they be needed.
Third, I have authorized [4000] members of the 8th Infantry
to stand by at Fort Ord, California. In the event they are
needed, they are available for duty this evening as well. And in
the event these troops are sent in, I am prepared to Federalize
the National Guard.
We have seen images in the last 72 hours that we will never
forget. Some were horrifying almost beyond belief. But there
were other acts -- small, but significant acts in all this
ugliness that give us hope: People who have spent each night not
in the streets, but in the churches of east Los Angeles --
praying that man's gentler instincts be revealed in the hearts of
people driven by hate. Citizens who ignored the mob -- who at
great personal danger, helped the victims of violence --
regardless of race.
Among the many stories I've seen and heard about these past
few days, one sticks in my mind. The story of one savagely
beaten white truck driver -- alive tonight because four
SENT BY:Xerox Telecopier 7020 1-92 4:59PM
4502903
5
strangers, four black strangers, came to his aid. Two were men
who had been watching television and saw the beating as it was
happening, and came out into the street to help. Another was a
woman on here way home from work -- the fourth, a young man whose
name we may never know. Together, those four people braved the
mob and drove that truck driver to the hospital. He is alive
today -- only because they stepped in to help.
It is for every one of them that we must rebuild the
community of Los Angeles -- for these four people and the others
like them who in the midst of this nightmare acted with simple
human decency.
We must understand that no one in Los Angeles or any other
city has rendered a verdict on America. If we are to remain the
most vibrant and hopeful nation on earth we must allow our
diversity to bind us together, not drive us apart. This must be
the rallying cry of good and decent people.
For their sake, for all our sakes: We must build a future
where in every city across this country, empty rage gives way to
hope -- where poverty and despair give way to opportunity. We
must keep on working to create a climate of understanding and
tolerance. We must not tolerate racism, bigotry, anti-semitism,
and hate of any kind, anytime, anywhere.
This Sunday, I ask all Americans to lend their hearts and
their voices to the healing of hatred.
Tonight, let me say to the people sickened by the spectacle
of the past few days -- to the good people of East Los Angeles,
SENT BY:Xerox Telecopier 7020 ; 5- 1-92 ; 4:59PM ;
4502863
6
caught at the center of this senseless terror: The violence will
end. Hope will return. Justice will be served.
Thank you, and God bless the United States of America.
# # #
Val
injurn / hr.
135 may
Shon '/stabb'
100 minor
w/in LA city of
See
235 injuries T
( sevie beging of g
just under 4,000 not
Press ABUNTING G {.
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Mayor
WASH. POST: 04/30/92
CHRONOLOGY OF THE CASE
Powell and Wind, who hit King 56
times with their batons during an
81-second period, were "out of con-
trol." Briseno said he had put his
foot on King to keep him down and
prevent Powell and Wind from pos-
sibly beating him to death.
The Holliday videotape unleashed
widespread criticism of the LAPD
and touched off a political upheaval
that still continues in the city. At
March 3, 1991: Lake View Terrace resident George Holliday uses a video
the center of the storm was Police
camera to record police beating King after a high-speed chase.
Chief Daryl F. Gates, who has head-
March 7: King freed after prosecutors decline to file charges. Police Chief
ed the department since 1978 and
Daryl F. Gates recommends prosecution for three officers and pledges to dis-
frequently been criticized for insen-
cipline others.
sitivity to alleged police racism.
March 15: Grand jury indicts Sgt. Stacey C. Koon and Officers Laurence M.
Gates apologized for the beating
Powell, Timothy E. Wind and Theodore J. Briseno. Charges Include assault
but called it an "aberration." He fired
under color of authority, assault with great bodily injury, excessive force and
Wind, a probationary officer, and sus-
filing false police reports.
pended the others without pay.
March 20: Mayor Tom Bradley urges Gates to resign.
Mayor Bradley, a former police
March 26: Officers plead not guilty.
officer and longtime Gates critic,
March 27: Gates asks retired state Supreme Court justice John Arguelles to
tried to force the chief to retire.
head a panel to examine excessive-force incidents and recommend reforms.
Gates resisted, and his supporters
March 30: Bradley appoints former U.S. deputy secretary of state
said Bradley should step down in-
stead. Although the Police Commis-
Warren Christopher to head a panel to investigate police practices.
sion suspended Gates for 60 days
April 4: Police Commission suspends Gates for 60 days. Arguelles and
on April 4, 1991, the City Council
Christopher panels merge into single commission.
reinstated him a day later.
April 5: City Council orders Gate's reinstatement.
Later, however, Gates agreed to
May 7: Gates fires Wind and suspends Koon, Powell and Briseno without pay.
retire in June. After a long selection
July 9: Christopher Commission reports evidence of brutality and racism in the
process directed by Police Commis-
police force. It blames deficient management, suggests that Gates retire and
sion President Stanley Sheinbaum,
recommends imposing a term limit on future chiefs.
one of California's leading liberals,
July 22: Gates says he will retire in April 1992 if his replacement is chosen by
Philadelphia Police Commissioner
then. He later postpones that to June, saying he wants to fight term limits
Willie L. Williams was chosen April
and other reforms on the June 2 city ballot.
16 to replace Gates. Williams will
Nov. 22: Superior Court Judge Stanley Weisberg is appointed to the case.
be the first black to head the LAPD
Nov. 26: Weisberg orders the trial held in neighboring Ventura County.
and the first outsider in more than
Feb. 5, 1992: Jury selection begins.
40 years.
March 5: Opening arguments begin, and Briseno's attorney says other officers
Staff writers Lynne Duke and
were "out of control."
Sharon LaFraniere in Washington,
March 17: The prosecution rests without calling King to stand.
Al Kamen and Ruben Castaneda in
March 19: Koon defends baton use as "a managed and controlled use of
Los Angeles and special
force."
correspondent Leef Smith
April 1: Powell compares the King encounter to a "matador-and-bull type situ-
contributed to this report.
ation."
April 3: Briseno denounces his codefendants, says he tried to stop the beating.
April 9: LAPD Cmdr. Michael Bostic, an expert on use of force, says most of
the baton blows were unreasonable and unnecessary.
April 20: Closing arguments begin.
April 24: Jury deliberations begin.
April 29: Jury returns not-guilty verdicts on 10 of 11 counts; mistrial
declared on the other count.
SOURCE: Associated Press
2062
N TIMES 04/30/92
The Rodney King Case
The Charges and the Verdicts
MARCH
1991
JULY
3 Rodney G. King, a black
9 The Christopher Commission
motorist, is beaten and kicked
releases its report, Including a
by white Los Angeles police
recommendation that Chief
officers, while a resident of a
Gates retire and a range of
Indicates
nearby apartment building
proposals for changes in the
which officers
videotapes the Incident.
police department. The panel
were charged
SDF SIRCBY Koon
payment 29.
THROUT
MINO Theodore > Brishn Maximum
concludes that the department
sentence
14 A Los Angeles County
suffers from 8 "slege mentality
grand jury indicts Sgt. Stacey
and that a relatively small
Assault with a
Not
Not
Not
Not
4 years,
C. Koon and Officers Laurence
number of officers account for
deadly
guilty guilty guilty guilty
$10,000
M. Powell, Theodore J. Briseno
an Inordinate number of uses of
weapon
fine
and Timothy E. Wind. They
force but go unpunished.
plead not guilty 12 days later.
Excessive use
Not
Mis-
Not
Not
1 year,
22 Chief Gates announces he
of force as a police
guilty
trial
guilty
guilty
$10,000
United States Attorney General
will retire In April 1992. He later
officer
fine
Dick Themburgh orders a
hints that he might stay on
review of brutality complaints
through.du or July 1992
Filing a false
Not
Not
3 years
against the Los Angeles Police
police report
guilty
guilty
Department over the past sur
23 The State Second District
years. The study is later
Court of Appeal grants
Accessory after
Not
3 years,
expanded to cover the nation
change of venue
the fact to a felony
guilty
$5,000 fine
Thirteen months later, the
findings have yet to be
AUGUST
released
21 The Second District Court
APRIL
of Appeal removes Judge
Bernard Kamins from the
1 In response to the beating
beating case, citing Improper
Mayor Tom Bradley appoints a
private communio between
commission, headed by former
the udge an progecutors
Deputy, Secretary of State
Warren Christopher, to
SEPTEMBER
investigate the police
department.
: The Angeles City
Council approves a ballot
2 Mayor Bradley calls on Chief
measure containing many of
Gates to step down
the Christopher Commission
4 The Police Commission
recommendation including
whose members are appointed
greater civilian control of the
by the Mayor, suspends Chief
police department The Initiative
Gates with pay for 50 days
3 to 00 before voters on June
Five days later, a judge
reinstates Chief Gates, while
18 in his official response to
the case is heard In court.
the commission's report, Chief
Gates asserts that most of the
MAY
proposed changes are already
7 Chief Gates dismisses
department policies, While
others are unnecessary:
Officer Wind, a rooks who did
not have tenure, He suspends
NOVEMBER
Sergeant Koon and Officers
Powell and Briseno without pay.
26 Judge Stanley M.
8 Mr. King and his wife,
Welsberg, who replaced Judge
Crystal, file a Federal civil rights
Kamins, chooses neighboring
lawsult against the city
Ventura County as the new
Vanue for the beating case:
10 The grand jury announces
that It will not Indict any of the
MARCH
19 police officers who were
bystanders at the beating. The
Opening arguments are
police department later
Iven bafore the jury, Ten.
punishes 10 of them
turon are ware one
Hispani and one
13 Judge Ronald Schigian of
John Bame)
Los Angeles County Superior.
reveals
Court voids the suspension of
client WILL
Chief Gates. The four
commissioners who voted to
place him on leave resign:
APRIL
28 Mr. King, found in a parked
B Mayo Bradley anound
car with a transvestite
the choice of Wille
prostitute, tries to flee a
. blad man who E
plainclothes officer and is
police in Philadelphia,
accused of trying to non him
succeed Chief Gates
over. Two months later,
prosecutors decide not to file
28 The case 0003 the
charges.
30 The Jury hung on
count against Mr. Powell
announces not guilty verdio
on all other charges,
May 1, 1992
MEMORANDUM FOR DAVID DEMAREST
DAN MCGROARTY
FROM:
RESEARCHERS
SUBJECT:
OVAL/L.A.
LINCOLN QUOTES:
Government should not act for revenge.
If some men will kill, or beat, or constrain others, or
despoil them of property by force, fraud, or non-compliance
with contracts, it is a common object with peaceful and just
men to prevent it.
Let every man remember that to violate the law is to trample
on the blood of his father and to tear the charter of his
own and his children's liberty.
There is no grievance that is a fit object of redress by mob
law.
Let us discard all this quibbling about this man and the
other man, this race and that race and the other race, being
inferior and therefore they must be placed in an inferior
position. Let us discard all these things, and unite as one
people throughout this land, until we shall once more stand
up declaring that all men are created equal.
RIOTS IN FIVE (5) OTHER CITIES:
San Francisco, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Seattle, Tampa Bay.
Protests also in Dallas, and Madison, Wisconsin.
A FEW EXCERPTS FROM LA ARTICLES
A youth minister from the House of Prayer Church in Compton was
trying to persuade people to cease looting and go home. No one
paid attention.
22-year-old member from the same church said, "This is not unity.
This is destroying. This is like getting angry and setting your
own house on fire. I'm praying for these people."
"
citizen soldiers facing citizens
"
The irony of it all: Guardsman armed with loaded M-16 rifles
were stationed at the corner of MARTIN LUTHER KING BOULEVARD and
Vermont Avenue, where rioters had battled over a strip mall most
of the day. [Two men named King: Years ago, Martin Luther King
raised the consciousness of this nation on the issue of race;
today, the issue of Rodney King illustrates that we have farther
to go. 'We have not overcome. "The model of behavior that
this group chose to follow not to a Martin Luther King of non-
violence but a Malcolm X of 'freedom by any means necessary'."
There were little kids looting for their parents. Parents
saying, "Go on in, run in there and get more. "
FYI: A factoid with a lot of impact -- 56 blows in 81 seconds
(re Rodney King video). 81 seconds of video has literally
changed the nation.
Chinese proverb: If we do not change the direction we are going,
we will wind up where we are headed.
Factoid: Lake View Terrace neighborhood is where beating
occurred.
Factoid: From a CNN broadcast -- "The cost of the LA riots thus
far run in the $200 million range."
Factoid: Los Angeles -- known as "city of the angels.'
Factoid: Jury comprised of 6 men, 6 women -- a housekeeper,
cable splicer, bank clerk, retired real estate broker, phone
company technician, computer analyst, retired naval aviator, park
ranger, college groundskeeper, program manager, retired mental
health worker, and a nurse.
T-shirt of one of the residents of the riot-torn area: "Justice
-- not Just Us. "
Firefighters in LA were quoted as saying: "We have a lot of
people out there who care about us
kids are waving to us
from their doors. " "There's a lot of good people out there
bringing us drinks of water or the last can of soda that they had
saved. " "If they can, lend a hand. " "People are helping by
doing what the law asks.' "
King's aunt said of her nephew: " You can't use his name as
the excuse for all that's happening in the city now. And you
can't use his name as the salvation.'
SOME POINTS FROM BARR'S STATEMENT YESTERDAY
"The verdicts yesterday on state charges are not the end of this
process.
The Department and the FBI have been closely monitoring the Los
Angeles case since the incident occurred.
We have now moved forward with our own federal investigation of
this incident to determine whether there was a violation of the
civil rights law.
I join the President, local officials and community leaders in
calling on all Americans to obey the law.
We take with gravest concern any allegation of police brutality.
At the same time, we cannot tolerate public violence and
lawlessness, and it is imperative that this violence come to an
end immediately.
This is now an active criminal investigation.
In these particular cases, the standard is whether or not we
believe that the federal interest was adequately vindicated in
the state proceedings
If it's not, then we feel free to proceed
on a federal track. "
nillin
FACSIMILE TRANSMITTAL SHEET
NUMBER OF PAGES INCLUDING COVER 4
DATE
David & Dan
Alay /
TO
FAX NUMBER
2983
COMMENTS
Just a little
Cinfo - - anecdotal,
Quotes from not
FROM
Research Ovictims, factords, etc.
*
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS
*
OFFICE NUMBER
7750
MAY- 1-92 1 FRI 10:24 OPD
P.01
TELE-FAX COVER SHEET
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
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DATE: May', 1992
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OUR TELE-FAX NUMBER IS (202)-514-2424
MAY- 1-92 FRI 10:25 OPD
P.02
STATE
Department of Justice
CR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
202-514-2007
THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 1992
TDD 202-514-1888
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- John R. Dunne, Assistant Attorney
General for civil Rights, issued the following statement last
night regarding the verdict in Los Angeles:
"Pursuant to our long-standing policy of deferring to local
prosecution, the Department of Justice has been monitoring the
prosecution of four Los Angeles Police Department Officers in
Simi Valley. The Department's Civil Rights Division, in
conjunction with the United States Attorney's office for the
Central District of California, will now undertake a review of
this incident to determine what, if any, action may be taken
under federal civil rights laws."
####
92-147
1-92 FRI 10:25 OPD
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Department of Justice
AG
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
202-514-2007
THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 1992
202-514-1888
STATEMENT BY ATTORNEY GENERAL WILLIAM P. BARR
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- I have a brief statement on the situation
in Los Angeles.
The The Department of Justice is responsible
verdicts yesterday on state charges are not the end for of
this enforcing process. federal civil rights laws, and we will do so vigorously.
Los established Angeles practice in such cases, we deferred action the
The case since the incident occurred. As while
Department and the FBI have been closely monitoring is the our
state completed its proceedings.
moved forward with our own federal investigation of the
We have incident now to determine whether there was a violation immediately
of civil this rights laws. We began that process last night,
after the verdicts were returned.
investigation will be carried out jointly by the in civil Los
Rights and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. I
That Division and the United States Attorney's have office instructed
Angeles them to complete this review as quickly as possible.
asked Associate Attorney General Wayne Associate Budd to
personally General to go to Los Angeles to meet to ensure the
I have oversee the investigation. I have asked with the all the
Attorney of Justice components on the scene and
Department is being pursued as expeditiously as possible; with
investigation to coordinate with Governor Wilson and Mayor Bradley
also respect to any futher assistance that may be required.
I join the President, local officials and community leaders in
calling on all Americans to obey the law.
brutality At the same time, we cannot tolerate public come to an
We take and, as I said, we will pursue this particular allegation violence
with gravest concern any allegation of police
aggressively. and lawlessness. It is imperative that this violence
end immediately.
# # #
92-148
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PRESS CONFERENCE WITH ATTORNEY GENERAL WILLIAM BARR, FBI DIRECTOR WILLIAM
SESSIONS; AND JOHN DUNNE, ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL, CIVIL RIGHTS DIV.
J-4-1 page# 1
THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 1992
dest=sjd, jd, fbi, crime, police, ca, civrts, doj, fns13684
data
ATTY GEN. BARR: Good afternoon. I have a brief statement to
about the situation in Los Angeles, and joining me here at the
make podium is the Director of the FBI Judge Sessions and the head of the
Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice John Dunne.
It's important for people to understand that the verdicts
yesterday on state charges are not the end of the process. The
Department of Justice is responsible for enforcing the civil The rights
of the United States and we will do so vigorously.
Department laws and the FBI have been closely monitoring the Los Angeles
since the incident occurred. As is our established practice in
case such cases, we deferred action while the state completed its
proceedings. We have now moved forward with our own federal
complete investigation of this incident to determine whether there
has been a violation of federal civil rights statutes.
We began that process last night immediately after the verdicts
returned. That investigation will be carried out jointly by
were Los Angeles United States Attorney's Office, the Civil Rights this
the Division, and the FBI. And I've instructed them to complete
review as quickly as possible.
1 have asked Associate Attorney General Wayne Budd to
personally oversee the investigation. And I have asked the
Associate Attorney General to go to Los Angeles today to meet with the
the Department of Justice components that are involved on
all and to ensure that the investigation is being pursued as
scene expeditiously as possible, and also to coordinate Governor to Wilson
and Mayor Bradley and other local leaders with respect any
further assistance that may be needed.
I join the President, local officials, and community leaders in
on all Americans to abey the law. We take with gravest
calling any allegation of police brutality. And as I said, we will we
concern this particular allegation vigorously. At the it same is time,
pursue cannot tolerate public violence and lawlessness, and
imperative that this violence come to an end immediately.
I will take your questions.
General, with respect to the count on which the jury
deadlocked, D local officials have indicated they would take Does at least that
till May 15th to decide whether to vote for a new trial. with
mean you're -- you certainly are not going to go forward
anything in the way of a charge prior to May 15th?
ATTY GEN. BARR: No, it does not necessarily mean that. We
are now moving forward with our investigation.
Q
How long --
MAY- 1 -92 FRI 10:26 OPD
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they're Q going to -- what they're going to do on that count?
Do you have any assurances from the LA folks as to how
ATTY GEN. BARR: We don't need any assurances. We are pursuing
now a federal criminal investigation.
Q
How long --
ATTY GEN. BARR: Yes.
0
-- how long --
ATTY GEN. BARR: Yes.
perhaps 0 a change of venue might be one thing that should be looked
On what grounds would you pursue this case? I understand
at? What constitutes --
ATTY GEN. BARR: No --
Q
-- a civil rights violation?
ATTY GEN. BARR: The statutes of particular relevance here are
18 USC 241 and 18 USC 242. 18 USC 241 prohibits a conspiracy to
deprive someone of their constitutional rights. Section 242
prohibits deprivation of constitutional rights under color of law,
including under color of state law. Those are the two relevant
statutes.
0
Could you explain that and how you could prosecute on a
civil rights level when they've been here as criminals?
ATTY GEN. BARR: There are two -- there are -- nothing in the
state process is binding on us federally. There are two different
sovereigns, and so there is no issue of double jeopardy here. What
we are looking at is whether there was intentional infliction of
excessive force -- which may constitute a violation of the civil
rights laws, And so we are not bound by any of the state
proceedings in that inquiry.
Yes, sir?
Can you give us an estimate as to long it might take to
complete your US attorneys being assigned to this case? You that
Q inquiry, and are there additional FBI agents said and
assistant the associate attorney general is being sent out there. Is anybody
else being sent out there?
ATTY. GEN. BARR: I believe that John Dunne last night directed
several I'm not going to predict a specific time frame. This
prosecutors in his division to go out to Los Angeles
immediately. active criminal investigation. We're obviously aware concluded that
is new is an a strong interest that it be pressed forward and to achieve
there as expeditiously as we can, and all resources necessary
that will be devoted to the investigation.
Yes?
Didn't the FBI already conduct a preliminary
investigation Q and come up with some conclusions that indicated there
might be scime difficulties in bringing federal charges?
MAY. - 1-92 FRI 10:27 OPD
P.06
GEN. BARR: I'll let Judge Sessions answer after I do,
ATTY. -- you were correct that the FBI did begin a criminal what
but there review of the case, but we can't discuss
investigation, conclusions might a have been reached because that is still part of
this ongoing criminal investigation.
Judge, do you want to add to that?
JUDGE SESSIONS: That would be correct, Ron. Those
results, of course, were delivered to the United
investigative Attorney and to the Civil Rights Division of the Department matters,
States of Justice by Deputy Attorney General John Dunne, and those
of course, are matters for them to consider.
Can you tell us when you started that investigation and
when D you stopped it in deference to the state trial?
GEN. BARR: The investigation, of course, was begun
immediately. shown, I believe, on a Monday evening, and we began first course,
ATTY. If you'll recall, the video presentation of the tape thing
was morning early in the morning hours. That was, of
Tuesday diligently to the point where we had conducted and completed And,
pursued investigation. At that point it was stopped.
our subject preliminary to the oversight of the Department of Justice, Civil Rights
Division, we will begin again.
Yes?
General, is there a Justice Department policy, maybe
D (inaudible word) -- policy, that states that you favor will
not the defendant in a state court unless you come up with new
called prosecute the -- if the facts have already been adjudicated in evidence of
or something?
ATTY. GEN. BARR: There is no such policy.
General, may I just ask you: There is certainly a strong
perception of brutality towards black victims get off, that Jersey,
a amongst many people in the community that white there officers have
accused number of cases where this has occurred -- Miami, New help us
been and now a LA. Can you respond to that perception? Can you
with that? Do you have any figures?
Department for police brutality. That includes officers in, 75 23
ATTY. of Justice have brought charges against 123 law I enforcement believe,
GEN. BARR: Since 1983, since October '88, we in the
officers Our conviction rate is running approximately at the percent. state
jurisdictions. cases usually that did not result in convictions reached
These level are Or where we were dissatisfied with the resolution that was
at the state level.
How many of those followed acquittals?
they involve civil rights violations, these cases you're referring to?
Did they involve civil rights violations? General, did
ATTY GEN. BARR: Typically, yes.
0
Sir, did they follow acquittals?
smith
MAY- 1-92 FRI 10:28 OPD
P.07
0
Were they across racial lines, in some cases --
(inaudible) --
ATTY GEN. BARR: I can't give you a specific figure on that.
DO you know that?
Some were, some weren't. We don't keep statistics 242
on that MR. because DUNNE: racial animus is not an element of a 241 or
violation.
GEN. BARR: I think that's an important point that that
question ATTY just raised, which is, there is no requirement of showing
racial animus under 241 or 242.
Yes, sir?
at the possibility crime or the conduct that is encompassed under 241 conduct
0 of intentional infliction of excessive force. and 242, Is
General, you had 2 moment ago said that you were looking
that the have occurred here? Or is there any other kind of
that that may might be prosecutable under either one of those jurisdictional
statutes? ATTY BEN. BARR: The -- under 242 the requirement is that the
conduct secured by the Constitution. And this includes the right an not
of the defendant must have deprived the victim of some
rights to have excessive or unreasonable force inflicted upon one by
officer of the state without due process. That's what I was
referring to.
Yes?
0
what do you think of the verdict? Did the jury do the
right thing here?
ATTY GEN. BARR: I'm standing here now in the capacity of the
federal prosecutor that has an ongoing investigation of this case,
SO it would be inappropriate for me at this stage to comment upon
that proceeding.
General, what is there left to investigate? Are there
some Q facts you believe are not known by now?
GEN. BARR: Obviously one of the sources of information
will ATTY be the entire proceedings of the case that's just gone forward.
In addition, there may be some additional evidence.
a
But basically you're going to review the transcript of
the trial?
ATTY GEN. BARR: That's obviously part of the investigation.
General, what is the President's attitude toward this?
Did he give you instructions on how to proceed?
GEN. BARR: The President's obviously very concerned the about
ATTY And he asked for me to brief him on our activities and Wilson
this. investigation. While I was with him, he talked to Governor could give.
and Mayor Bradley and offered whatever assistance we
0
Does he have any views on how you should proceed with
MAY 1-92 FRI 10:28 OPD
P.08
ATTY GEN. BARR: He wants us to proceed full apace.
O
Has Wayne Budd already left for LA?
ATTY GEN. BARR: Wayne Budd is on his way here and then he will
leave for LA.
0
Can you expand more on what his role will be in LA? Mr.
Budd's role in --
ATTY GEN. BARR: I just -- I think I just described his role.
I want him to meet with all the various components that are there.
We have not only the three components involved in the investigation;
we also have our community relations service that's been out there
and is now very active in the community, trying tc. stop the
violence. And I want him to 90 out there and meet with them, give
me a status report, make sure that all the resources that we need to
have there are there, and also to consult with the local leaders to
determine if there's any further assistance that we can give.
Will the fact that a jury already acquitted weigh in your
consideration 0 at all whether to bring a federal indictment?
ATTY GEN. BARR: As I say, double jeopardy is not a concern here.
G
I'm not talking about the legal -- I'm talking about
trial strategy and SO forth.
ATTY GEN. BARR: I'm not going to speculate about various
factors that may come into play in a particular case in judging
whether it's appropriate to seek an indictment on. I'm just not
going to speculate on that.
General, could we go B little bit deeper into the
statutes a that you've mentioned here? If I'm not mistaken, under the
equivalent statutes that apply at the state and local level, that's
1985 and 1983, the court has established that even minimal
infliction of injury is prosecutable. IS there case law to the same
effect under the federal statute even though Mr. King may not have
been substantially injured? Any infliction of even minimal injury,
perhaps including psychic injury, would be within the reach of those
statutes?
ATTY GEN. BARR: I'm not sure what you're driving at.
Well, what I'm saying is, as you know, the court -- the
Supreme 0 Court this term ruled that it can be & violation at the
state level of the right not to have excessive force used if
there's only minimal physical injury and maybe also if there's
minimal emotional injury. Is there case law that shows that the
same kind of thing is prosecutable under the two federal statutes
you have articulated?
ATTY GEN. BARR: Do you know that, John?
MR. DUNNE: Yes.
Yes, there is. (Laughter.) Yes, in fact, there is a case
where you don't even have to have any infliction of physical
violence at all.
sort'd
MAY- - 1-92 FRI 10:29 OPD
P.09
suffered D under that precedent in order for these statutes to apply?
So, what kind of -- what kind of legal injury has to be
ATTY GEN. BARR: Well, it's a very interesting line of inquiry,
the bottom line is that this particular person was physically
but injured, and we believe that the injuries were to statutes. a sufficient
degree to warrant an investigation under these
Q
What's the current maximum penalty to be received if he's
prosecuted and convicted?
ATTY GEN. BARR: Ten years and $10, $10,000, I believe.
General, the Department has internal guidelines for
0 whether to go forward in a dual prosecution. Could you with
determining describe what standard or what threshold must be met to proceed
the dual prosecution under those guidelines?
ATTY not we believe that the federal interest was adequately
GEN. BARR: Im these particular cases, the standard is
whether vindicated or in the state proceedings. I believe that's in the we United
States the federal interest, given the facts as we understand them, feel
Attorneys manual. So it's a judgment as to whether
believe were vindicated by the state proceeding. If it's not, then WE
free to proceed on a federal track.
Thanks.
a
Thank you very much.
END
May 1, 1992
MEMORANDUM FOR DAVE
DAN
FROM:
JAG
SUBJECT:
TV INTERVIEWS WITH GOOD SAMARITANS
Culled from the tube: two interviews with two samaritans
(black) who aided two victims of mob violence.
CBS This Morning, Paula Zahn
Bennie Newton, an African-American pastor, arrived home
Wednesday night and watched with horror the violence on the
evening news. He and other preachers had been trying to come up
with answers. Bennie decided to become one. "I felt I had to go
down to do what I could," he recalled, "and I'm glad I did."
He walked downtown into the heart of the violence, "a street
storm," he called it. He saw a man being beaten by a crowd of
about 20. He moved to defend the man, saying, "Please stop,
let's bring some sense into this." They pushed him aside, and
were it not for his collar, would have probably beaten him too.
The beating continued, culminating when someone picked up a
speaker and threw it down on the victim's head. At this point,
the Reverend covered the man's body with his own -- shielding it
from the mob. When he got a chance, he dragged the man to a
gutted van and hid him there. Then he went to get his own car,
and drove him to the hospital. Later, when he saw the reaction
of the victim's family, he said "my heart was crying." The man,
Mr. Lopez, is in stable condition.
Today Show, Bryant Gumbel
Greg Alan-Williams, an African-American actor and writer,
was driving by a violent intersection and saw a mob of angry men
swarming over a stalled car. The crowd was smashing and crawling
through the windows of the vehicle, beating its driver in the
face with beer bottles, and dragging him out of the car.
Our hero (sigh) got a hold of the man and started pulling
him across the street. The bleeding man could hardly stand, but
Williams told him: "You have to walk or you're going to die."
They struggled through the jeering crowd, trying to find safety.
Williams pulled him along the street, seeking shelter -- but no
one would take them in, no one would help (shades of the Seven
Stations). Finally, another good samaritan offered his van, and
they took the man to the hospital.
Mr. Williams said that he and his family stand ready to help
heal the victim and his family.1
May 1, 1992
MEMORANDUM FOR DAVE
DAN
FROM:
JAG
SUBJECT:
GOOD SAMARITAN ACCOUNTS IN PRINT
1)
"It was late when the elderly black couple pulled up to the
77th Street police station in a white Cadillac. Slumped in
the back seet was a Latino man with a gunshot would in the
head
Any other day, these Good Samaritans would have been
hailed as heroes. Not tonight. Los Angeles was at war with
itself
No one felt safe and it was impossible to know
friend from foe. "
"'stop there
or I'll kill you!' shouted an officer
posted outside the station as he pulled a revolver on the
couple. The Cadillac screeched to a halt. Moments passed.
The man and the woman sat motionless, not knowing what to
do. Only when the jittery officer realized who was inside
did the tension subside.'
--L.A. Times, 5-1-92
2)
"Not more than 100 feet away from the safety of his front
porch on Florence Avenue, James Henry watched a horrific
scene unfold. Five young black men swarmed on a Hispanic
man whose van had broken down
[they] punched and kicked
the man mercilessly, then gleefully bounced away, flashing
gang hand signals The attackers were only about 40 feet
away from the victim, who was lying in the street, when
several cars careened by, one running over the man's legs." II
"That was too much for Henry
I was was afraid I was
going to get hit. I didn't feel secure. At least I was
moving. He was helpless. With the help of another man,
Henry pulled the victim to the relative safety of the
sidewalk, got him a blanket, got the phone number of his
family, and stayed with him until police arrived about 20
minutes later."
--Washington Post, 5-1-92.
3)
**CNN and print: reports of citizens helping firefighters
with hoses, people helping to put out fires with their
garden hoses.
4)
"His name is Reginald Oliver Denny
He is alive because
four strangers -- four black strangers from the very crowd
that had beaten him nearly to death -- emerged to drive his
unweildy 18-wheeler out of pandemonium to safety."
"The rescuers were two women and two men: a young
nutrition consultant, a laid-off data control worker, an
unemployed aerospace worker, and a stil-unidentified young
man in black whose fellow rescuers first feared was a
ganbanger coming to finish Denny off."
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